Official Guide to Telluride & Mountain Village / Summer 2023

UDE ED

THE TOWN & MOUNTAIN VILLAGE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE | SUMMER/FALL 2023

RUST

HRILL 50 YEARS OF FESTIVALS

MAGIC & MORE AT TELLURIDE THEATRE

PLAY HARD tread lightly

the best of

TOWN & COUNTRY

516 E. Columbia Ave. - Town of Telluride

This incredibly designed and custom-built 4-bed/ 4.5-bath home is perfectly located on the sunny side of Town. Take in stunning views of Bear Creek from Ballard, Wasatch, and Needle Rock all the way up to the ski resort area. Just a few steps out your door will have you to Town Park, Main St, or the river trail. No detail was overlooked in this modern luxury home: electric skylights & shades, upgraded A/V, Lutron lighting, oak flooring & ceiling detail, 2 gas fireplaces, fresh air system, air conditioning, steam shower, stainless outdoor soaking tub, and much more.

Offered at $7,994,000

1050 Posey Road - Wilson Mesa

Located on Wilson Mesa, just under 20 miles from the world class ski resort of Telluride, this 35-acre lifestyle ranch is your personal gateway to experiencing the alluring beauty of the towering San Juans in every direction. A newly finished, custom-built 4-bed / 4.5 bath home seamlessly blends reclaimed and rustic elements with new high-end contemporary finishes. Floor-to-ceiling windows invite you to revel in the 360° views and visiting wildlife. A stunning 20ft stone fireplace establishes a magnificent centerpiece of the home by which to spend time relaxing with loved ones around the warm glow of a fire.

Offered at $9,995,000

SCAN FOR MORE DETAILS ON THESE INCREDIBLE HOMES & TO SCHEDULE A VIEWING.

Eagle’s Nest at Element 52 // $12,300,000

Eagle’s Nest at Element 52 owns the best ski access that Telluride has to offer -- 10 steps to the trail! Valet your car, and after a short stroll across a central plaza with firepit, step aboard a funicular that rises to the top floor of Element 52, managed by Auberge Resorts. An intricate tapestry of innovative architecture, refined mountain contemporary finishes, painstakingly sourced appointments and furnishings are evident at arrival. Sunlight and 180-degree views explode through expansive window openings. Its free-flowing floorplan encompasses chef’s kitchen, living, dining and cozy trail-side lounge. A south-facing deck expands the entire width of the living level with cedar hot tub overlooking town. The mid-level encompasses the primary and secondary suites, each possessing private heated decks. The primary bedroom enjoys extensive built-ins in a gracious walk-in closet with bath appointed with honed marble tile and steam shower. The lowest level envelops a family media room with wet bar, four intricately designed, built-in bunkbeds, a laundry facility and two additional guest suites.

685 Wilson Way // $10,750,000

Painstakingly constructed from three pre-civil war barns, Wilson Way offers a gateway to a lifestyle that captures the allure of the rugged wilderness from its doorstep and beyond to what seems like an infinity of beauty called the San Juan Mountains laced with 14,000 ft. peaks, old growth forests and lush mountain meadows. 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths.

220 North Oak Street // $8,750,000

Only one block from everything the Historic District offers and a short stroll to skiing, 220 N. Oak is a stately 5-bedroom, 3-bath residence, with an idyllic detached guest house with 1-bedroom, 1-bath + loft, 2-car garage, and off-street parking. Each structure has its own kitchen and laundry facilities. This historic residence was artfully restored and enlarged by its current owner/designer/builder. The home’s location on two landscaped lots affords dramatic views, and privacy on Telluride’s most coveted street.

7039 Last Dollar Road // $12,500,000

PARADISE FOUND - Absolute privacy atop the highest knoll in the Gray Head Wilderness Preserve offers up the ultimate 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom retreat for generations of family. Located on 70 acres with sweeping 360-degree views of the iconic Telluride peaks, the residence was artfully crafted from three 1800’s Pennsylvania barns. The great room, warmed by a 2.5-story 2-sided woodburning stone fireplace, enjoys walls of glass framing the peaks beyond and stone-lined pond below. Co-listed with Steve Catsman // 970-729-0100 // steve@catsman.com.

The Official Guide to Telluride & Mountain Village is published twice per year by:

TELLURIDE TOURISM BOARD

Telluride & Mountain Village, Colorado

855.421.4360 | Telluride.com

Executive Director

KIERA SKINNER

Director of Communications

TOM WATKINSON

Destination Program Manager

ALLISON BILLS

Operations Manager

JACOB SIEGEL

Financial Administrator

VICKI LAW

Staff Photographer

RYAN BONNEAU

MELISSA PLANTZ

Destination Concierge

JENNIFER ANTISTA

PALMA TAVENNER

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO TELLURIDE & MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Editor & Associate Publisher

ERIN SPILLANE

Art Director

LAUREN METZGER

Production Director

KIM HILLEY

Advertising Sales

HILARY TAYLOR

Writers

ALLISON BILLS

MARTINIQUE DAVIS

LINNE HALPERN

JESSE JAMES McTIGUE

ELLEN METRICK

EMILY SHOFF

For advertising opportunities contact: Hilary Taylor / 970.417.2589

HilaryTaylorConsulting@gmail.com

Copyright ©2023 All Rights Reserved

Cover and contents must not be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher.

Cover image: Ryan Bonneau The Guide participates in the PrintReleaf reforestation program.

Pictured: 1050 Posey Road - Wilson Mesa

CREATIVITY, COMMUNITY

Welcome to the summer 2023 issue of the Official Guide to Telluride & Mountain Village

We at the Telluride Tourism Board hope you find everything you need in this issue to enhance your experience in our community.

In flipping through the Guide, I confess to feeling somewhat awestruck by the specialness of this place and the boundless imagination and inspiration of the people who have called it home. Take for instance our cover story, which celebrates two cherished local festivals — the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Telluride Film Festival — as they mark a half century of creativity. Each took root in the early 1970s when Telluride was very much off the beaten path, its mining industry winding down and the ski area brand new. The creative vision and determination of this community combined in those days with a hunch that others would likewise get the uniqueness of this corner of Colorado and be drawn here — whether to dance to bluegrass in Town Park or sit in an intimate local theater enraptured by a surefire Oscar winner.

And how right they were. In Bluegrass and Film Fest, Telluride has world leaders in their respective genres. Extraordinary. Yet, this community’s creativity is a theme that also comes up again and again throughout this issue. Make sure to read about Telluride Theatre, our wildly inventive performing arts group that consistently puts on outstanding productions using a seemingly endless store of local talent. Surely don’t miss the piece on members of the local dining scene — restaurant chefs, caterers and instructors from our local art school — who are teaching culinary classes in a number of innovative formats. And discover the ingenuity of homegrown entrepreneurs in an article that highlights four local women with bright business ideas that led to successful enterprises.

Everywhere in this issue, we see folks thinking big in our small community, a creativity that in turn has made this corner of the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado incredibly special. Its distinctiveness has instilled in all of us a sense of stewardship and responsibility for the culture and natural beauty of this place. We at the Telluride Tourism Board, as well as the wider community, care greatly for both and ask you to do the same.

Care, creativity, community. Add celebration of our wonderful festivals and you have the makings for a perfect summer in Telluride and Mountain Village.

EXPLORE THE VISITORS CENTER

Make your experience in Telluride and Mountain Village an unforgettable one by exploring the Visitors Center at 236 West Colorado Ave. There, the local destination concierge team stands ready to steer you to a summer adventure, memorable meal or the perfect boutique.

KIERA SKINNER Executive Director | Telluride Tourism Board

Ryan Bonnaeu

Ryan Bonneau

INTO SUMMER

Book a direct flight to your favorite mountain towns from one of five hubs

This summer, travel to Telluride and Mountain Village is easy, with the continuation of direct flights from five major hubs nationwide to the area’s two airports. The Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) is just 10 minutes from the heart of both Telluride and Mountain Village, while Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is a scenic 65 miles away, offering access that is among the best in the Rockies.

Denver Air is operating summertime flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and TEX. Flights take place daily alongside Denver Air’s year-round Denver International Airport (DEN)TEX route. Denver Air’s Dornier 328 jet offers a highly regarded service to TEX that is fast and comfortable, and which now connects to both the United Airlines and American Airlines worldwide networks or through Denver Air itself.

United continues its core service to Montrose this summer, with two to five daily Denver flights, as well as daily service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Houston’s George H.W. Bush International Airport (IAH). Houston and Chicago run June-September, while Denver continues year-round.

Meanwhile, American offers daily Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) flights to Montrose, while Southwest flies daily between Denver and MTJ.

Returning passengers to the Montrose airport will notice that the facility’s expansion work continues. The $40 million, two-phase project, which began in December 2021, will almost double the size of the terminal, with six passenger gates on the ground level and an additional two gates on a new concourse level. There will also be a new baggage claim area, two new restaurants, a new bar and electronic charging stations.

Part two, which is expected to finish in 2023, sees work move to the south side of the existing terminal and focuses on areas in use by the airlines that serve the airport, including enhanced counter space. Outdoor areas are getting an upgrade too. The new facility will have an outdoor patio with a fireplace for passengers waiting to be picked up, along with an additional 570 parking spaces and upgraded drop-off and pick-up areas.

All in all, exciting developments that make for easy travel this summer to your favorite mountain towns.

YEAR-ROUND FLIGHTS

Denver DEN to Telluride TEX

Denver Air/daily

Denver DEN to Montrose MTJ

United Airlines/daily

Denver DEN to Montrose MTJ

Southwest/daily

Dallas DFW to Montrose MTJ

American Airlines/daily

Phoenix PHX to Telluride TEX

Denver Air/daily, summer

Denver Air/2x weekly, fall

SUMMER

2023 FLIGHTS

Chicago ORD to Montrose MTJ

United Airlines/daily (weekends June)

Houston IAH to Montrose MTJ

United Airlines/daily (weekends September)

Tony Demin

We are a small community with a big heart. Let’s all do our part to take care of one another and our planet.

TrASHY DON’T BE REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE

TWO , ONE LOVE

Two towns in one beautiful package, the twin communities of Telluride and Mountain Village each have their own distinct vibe, but together they share a love of the people, events and natural surroundings that make this a special and unique place, and a stunning summertime playground.

TELLURIDE

A National Historic Landmark District, Telluride is steeped in history. The town’s roots run right back to the second half of the 19th century when it was the center of the mining industry and the place where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank. Look around town and you will see a wealth of historical homes and buildings — structures that have been carefully preserved over time and which now house delish restaurants; funky, independent boutiques; and fine-art galleries.

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

At 9,545 feet and almost completely enveloped by the Telluride Ski Resort, this hamlet offers a more modern, luxe feel in a European-style alpine setting. Incorporated in 1995, Mountain Village boasts exquisite accommodations, state-of-the-art spas, stylish shops and sophisticated dining options, as well as a wealth of family-friendly activities, all surrounded by towering mountains that form the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in the United States.

THE GONDOLA

Linking these two communities is the Gondola. The only public transportation system of its kind in North America, the free, environmentally friendly “G” connects Telluride and Mountain Village via a 13-minute ride. It’s also wheelchair, bike, stroller and pet friendly. Some aficionados try to snag the red gondola cabin, created in 2016 to celebrate the G’s 20th anniversary, or the white cabin, which marks its 25th. Whichever cabin you’re in, with its breathtaking views and the uniqueness of the experience, the Gondola is one journey you will never forget. For operating dates and times, see page 82.

8minutes

5minutes

13 minutes

Telluride to Mountain Village

TELLURIDE STATION

South Oak Street

Telluride

8,750 feet

SAN SOPHIA STATION

Mid-Mountain

Access the resort’s trails, Allred’s Restaurant & Bar, Nature Center

10,500 feet

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE STATION

Mountain Village Center

9,545 feet

Ryan Bonneau

Show that love to our community, to all who live, work and play here and to our stunning natural environment

DO THE TOWNS RIGHT

Let’s ride the free Gondola, a bike, the eco-friendly free buses or walk like a local.

Let’s be aware of local single-use plastics bans and remember to bring reusable bags to avoid fees for disposable ones.

Let’s come to see and not be seen.

We are a small town with a big heart. Let’s treat local workers with kindness and respect.

VISIT RIG How To

Ryan Bonneau

Tony Demin

DO YOU RIGHT

Let’s always be prepared with sunscreen, layers and water. Let’s stay hydrated with our pure Rocky Mountain water from a reusable water bottle. Let’s care more about ourselves than the selfie.

DO OUR BACKYARD RIGHT

Let’s take a deep breath, slow down and be respectful of others and the environment.

Let’s keep the mountains pristine by bringing out everything we brought in.

Let’s enjoy wildlife and nature without disrupting.

Let’s always be careful with fire. Let’s tag responsibly or, even better, not at all.

DO THE WORLD RIGHT

Let’s work together today for a better tomorrow.

Let’s waste less and enjoy more. Let’s not be trashy and instead reuse and recycle.

Let’s get a java jolt with a reusable mug.

Let’s sip beverages with a metal straw.

Let’s offset our travel emissions. Let’s conserve resources by turning off lights when leaving a room, unplugging electronics and chargers when not in use and reusing towels and linens.

Commit to being a responsible visitor by taking the Telluride Pledge

Festival

Ralph Barnie

Ryan Bonneau

Michael Patterson / Michael’s Telluride Film Blog

Courtesy Telluride Film Festival

Tim Benko

Tim Benko

By Erin Spillane

Love

Imagine the Telluride

of 1974:

Asmall town (the 1970 Census counted 553 inhabitants) with mostly dirt roads (only a small span of Colorado Avenue was paved back then) that relied primarily on a declining mining industry (the town’s last commercial mine would close in 1978). The brand-new Telluride Ski Area had opened in 1972, but it was tiny, with supporters who seemed more hopeful than confident.

Still, though, the town had a few things going for it. It was staggeringly beautiful. It was a National Historic Landmark District that boasted some wonderful historic architecture. And, more and more young ski bums were finding their way to what was fast becoming a fabled spot, adding some youthful energy and optimism to the wisdom and grit of the mining families that had lived in and loved these mountains for decades.

Add to this mix visionaries — impresarios, aficionados, dreamers — who each came up with the same audacious thought: Let’s start a festival.

Sounds improbable, right? And yet, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Telluride Film Festival, both founded in 1974, still exist today, pre-eminent gatherings in their respective genres the world over. In this time, Telluride itself has grown into a true festival capital with a cherished summertime culture that has grown over the years and across interests as diverse as the arts, hot air balloons, architecture, yoga, wine, classic cars, craft beers and mushrooms.

It’s safe to say that generations of festivalgoers in Telluride have learned to queue early for the tarp run and know that Chuck Jones and Able Gance are places as well as people. They have experienced the thrill of the main street balloon glow, gasped in unison at one of Mountainfilm’s mind-blowing offerings and marched joyously in the Mushroom Festival’s main street parade. They have danced in Town Park beneath full moons and summer snows, struck a pose in unison with a hundred other yogis and gotten down at late-night Juke Joint and Jazz After Dark gigs.

They are festivarians who know how to festival. As Bluegrass and Film celebrate their 50th annual events, what do we know about the characters and community that created them? >>

One town, two audacious ideas and 50 years of Telluride festivals

Festival classics. Facing page: bottom left, New Grass Revival, Bluegrass 1987; left, Jack Nicholson and Anjelica Huston, Film Fest 1975; middle right, Bobby McFerrin, Bluegrass 2005.

Origin stories

That old saying about mighty oaks growing from little acorns applies to both of Telluride’s half-century-old festivals. The story of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, for instance, begins with a local band called the Fall Creek Boys that was comprised of John Herndon, J.B. Matteotti, Kooster McAllister and Fred Shellman. “We had this little four-piece bluegrass band,” Herndon says modestly. “It was pretty funky. We played locally and did some outdoor stuff like the Fourth of July thing.”

That “Fourth of July thing” was an outdoor concert the Fall Creek Boys held at Telluride’s annual Fourth of July celebration in 1973 in Town Park. The concert seems to have been well received locally and, if nothing else, had prompted the construction of a stage in the park. Shortly after that, Shellman suggested a road trip to the National

Flat-Picking Championship, a festival of bluegrass music held in Winfield, Kan.

There, Herndon recalls being blown away. “The headliners were Doc Watson, Norman Blake and New Grass Revival. We were just stunned. We had been listening to traditional bluegrass music and these guys were taking it in a whole different direction. It was really exciting what they were doing.”

He continues, “We were standing around a campfire one night after the last show and started talking about whether we could do a festival in Telluride. My favorite memory of the thing was that a friend of Fred’s had this bowling ball and somehow a game was started of rolling the bowling ball through the campfire and each time there was a shower of sparks. I always remember those sparks as signifying the moment the Telluride >>

Planet Bluegrass / Black Canyon Gang

‘The first Bluegrass was like a really great party.’

Terry Tice

Courtesy Planet Bluegrass

MUSEUM CELEBRATES FESTIVALS TOO

Want to know more about Telluride’s festival scene? Head to the Telluride Historical Museum, located at West Gregory Avenue and North Fir Street, to view the museum’s new exhibit, Festival Capital of the Rockies: 50 Years of Festivals in Telluride. Devised by Molly Daniel, the museum’s director of programs and exhibits, Festival Capital of the Rockies explores the vibrant history and culture of Telluride’s festivals and features memorabilia, photographs, behind-the-scenes stories and more. Says Daniel, “These events have become a defining characteristic of Telluride, attracting visitors from all over the world and contributing to the town’s economic and cultural vitality.”

The exhibit formally opens on June 8 with a reception and continues through the end of the winter 2023-24 ski season. In addition to this fascinating exploration of all things festivalrelated, the museum, open this summer Mondays-Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers a wealth of programming as well as exhibits that thoughtfully delve into the area’s fascinating past. For more, visit telluridemuseum.org.

Bluegrass Festival was conceived.”

Herndon had grown up in nearby Norwood and as a teenager put on small rock concerts on the local tennis courts there. “From that, I had this vision in my head that you just make some posters and put up a PA system and people will come. And so that’s what we did with the first festival. We just winged it. It was more like a party, but the response was really good and people seemed to have a lot of fun — we had a lot of fun — and it pushed us to go forward to do it again the next year.”

And so it came to be that the first annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival was held on the Town Park stage June 22-23, 1974, the summer solstice weekend. Terry Tice, who opened main street clothing store The Telluride Toggery in 1972 and was a town councilmember in 1974, was one of a group of locals drafted in to help with security. He echoes Herndon: “The first Bluegrass was like a really great party.”

It was in the early 1970s that Bill and Stella Pence also entered the local scene. A Denver

couple with deep professional and personal connections to movies and moviemaking, the Pences had acquired the leases on a number of theaters in Rocky Mountain towns, including the Sheridan Opera House in Telluride. Local Jim Bedford, who managed the opera house for them, recalls that early in 1974 Bill Pence, then a vice president at Janus Films, brought his friend, film historian James Card, on a tour of their theaters for the showing of a pair of classic 1920s films. As Bedford recalls it, “The shows at the Sheridan Opera House sold out, the only theater of the tour that did, and Card, calling the SOH ‘the jewel box in the Rockies,’ said to Pence that this would be a great place for a film festival. When they got back to Denver, they went to work, enlisting Tom Luddy, then from the Pacific Film Archive in San Francisco, to assist with programming.”

The first Telluride Film Festival took place Labor Day weekend 1974 and had an eclectic but intriguing lineup of guests, including Francis Ford Coppola, then an up-and-coming director; the famed actress from film’s Golden Age, >>

Tim Benko / Joan Armatrading, Bluegrass

John Meislahn

The first Telluride Film Festival took place Labor Day weekend 1974 and had an eclectic but intriguing lineup of guests.

A LONG TRADITION

Telluride is also home to other much-loved festivals. The Telluride Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1973, the year before Bluegrass and Film Fest, when a group of locals invited San Francisco-based classical musicians Roy Malan and Robin Sutherland to play here. “Chamber” is now a year-round concert series. In addition, the Telluride Jazz Festival was founded in 1977, while Mountainfilm began in 1979. The Telluride Mushroom Festival followed in 1981 and the Telluride Balloon Festival was, um, launched two years later. For more, see page 30.

Gloria Swanson; and Leni Riefenstahl, the talented filmmaker whose work as a propagandist for Hitler’s Third Reich had made her infamous. Says Bedford, “Bill and Tom’s connections with European and avant-garde film and Jim Card’s connections to silent and classic film and filmmakers provided the mix and magic that became the Telluride Film Festival.”

Bedford continues, “That first year there were only two theaters, the opera house and the Airport Bar (where Clark’s Market is now). The opera house had 35mm projection equipment, but the bar just used a 16mm projector on a table and a cheapo drop-down screen. The second year we lost the bar, but started using the community center (a 1940s Quonset hut just west of the old high school) and expanded into the Nugget Theatre by year three.”

The way Bedford tells it, no one was more surprised than its organizers to find that each year’s Telluride Film Festival was a success. “For many years, they said that they only ever planned one year at a time, that at any time the festival could have gone down the tubes and they would have stepped aside. But, as it turned out, it didn’t go down the tubes.”

Serendipity

In fact, neither of these nascent festivals went down the tubes. In part because of some support from a community that itself was undergoing seismic changes as the local economy began to transition from mineral extraction to outdoor recreation. For some of those who lived in town at the time, embracing the new festivals made sense.

Says Tice, “The ski area opened in ‘72 and we all started to try to make our way in this new era. There was the notion, and it was the experience of other ski areas, that we would be busy during the winter season but the summer months would be lackluster. There was a feeling that bringing in some additional activity for summers was a good idea and I think there was consistent and widespread support for this early on.”

Gary Hickcox moved to Telluride in 1975 and later served as town manager and executive director of the chamber of commerce, among other roles. He also worked the Bluegrass festival for 35 years. Hickcox agrees that the relationship between the town and the newbie festivals was “symbiotic” at that time, adding, “It was serendipitous the way these things came together for both sides.”

Merrick Chase

Michael Patterson / Michael’s Telluride Film Blog

Says Herndon, “The faction that really supported the festival in the early days included a lot of businesses in town because at that time summer just didn’t produce much income and people were really struggling. Suddenly, there was this really intense revenue stream that literally kept several businesses from going under, so they supported the festivals.”

Boosted in part by this early enthusiasm, the festivals grew in size and impact. Says Tice, “All of these events started as pretty mellow endeavors and then burgeoned over the years until each became quite a different creature.”

Hickcox adds, “I think one of the things that is unique about Telluride in terms of these events and how they grew is this: In my mind, those early

events were not ‘do a Lollapalooza’, they were ‘let’s have a party’ and then ‘well, that worked, let’s do it again next year’ and ultimately these festivals turned into big things.”

It would seem that another factor at play was timing.

Herndon and Bedford point out that there weren’t many festivals at this time, leaving a relatively uncrowded field of competitors vying for audiences. Explains Bedford, “There wasn’t a Sundance back then. There was a New York and a Chicago and a San Francisco festival, but they tended to be more of a local festival than an international one. By its very nature, Telluride had to appeal to an out-of-town audience.”

Of the rise of the Bluegrass Festival, Herndon

echoes Bedford — “Music concerts in an open park weren’t terribly common back then. I think a lot of our success was down to timing.” — and also points to the “newgrass” movement that was gaining momentum in the 1970s.

“The other key thing is that we didn’t stick to traditional bluegrass music,” he says. “When we brought New Grass Revival to Telluride, people here were astonished by their musical ability and innovative approach. And the New Grass Revival guys, they then connected with other newgrass musicians elsewhere and told them what a great time they had had. All this played into our exponential growth — word just spread like wildfire about what was happening with bluegrass in Telluride.” >>

Images this page: Tim Benko

'Word just spread like wildfire about what was happening with bluegrass in Telluride.’

John Herndon

Unforgettable Bluegrass performances. Main photo, Mumford & Sons, 2011; top (L-R): Sam Bush, 1995; Emmylou Harris & James Taylor, 1995; Mary Chapin Carpenter & Shawn Colvin, 1992; Janelle Monáe, 2015.

The three Ps

If Bluegrass was finding success in part because its focus on newgrass was dovetailing with trends in the genre, over at the Telluride Film Festival, there was a similar acknowledgement that innovative programming mattered.

Here, Bedford tells this story: “Bill [Pence] came up with this idea of the three Ps: people, programming and place. He felt that they were linked and that you had to have all three working together in order for a festival to work.”

Bedford pointed out that this emphasis on programming led to two rules specific to the Telluride Film Festival that have contributed over the years to the gathering’s mystique: “Every film that came to Telluride had to have a North American premiere in Telluride and every film had to have one of its filmmakers come with the film to Telluride. There have been exceptions, but the exceptions were rare, and these rules made the event different from every other film festival.”

Of the “people” element of Pence’s triumvirate, Bedford said, “When it came to people, Pence didn’t just mean the stars and the people who came with the films, he meant the people in the town. He meant the audience. He meant, especially, the staff, who he and Stella became very close to. They operated very much as a family, especially those first 10 years or so.”

Tice worked the Telluride Film Festival for many years, including as the emcee of the Able Gance outdoor cinema in Elks Park. He notes that the low-key nonchalance of Telluriders was appreciated by many of the festival’s celebrity invitees, in turn forging some lasting relationships. “I remember sitting at the Sheridan having a beer with Jack Nicholson, and the informality of interactions like that really caught on with the Film Fest crowd. They began to really dig it and many have made some deep connections with this community over the years.”

It sounds like it was the same for Bluegrass, where many of the same musicians come back year after year and there are festivarians who have been sitting with the same people for decades. “We were a contagious, good-time festival where people made a lot of friends,” Herndon says. “When they came back the next year, they saw those same friends again. They bonded over the years and that — seeing your old Bluegrass friends — became a thing.”

In thinking on Pence’s three Ps, there was, of course, also “place”.

Tice notes, “From the get-go, most of us had a sense of how unique Telluride was as a place to hold a festival. It was a village, well-defined, with historic buildings and this incredible natural beauty, plus energetic, intelligent people who understood what was there and that it needed care and nurturing.”

Says Hickcox, “It’s the most beautiful place to have a festival. Period.” >>

'It’s the most beautiful place to have a festival. Period.’

Gary Hickcox

Ryan Bonneau

THE JEWEL BOX

A beautiful thread that runs through Telluride’s festival history is the Sheridan Opera House, which has played host over the years to events from a diverse range of festivals. Located on North Oak Street, adjacent to the equally historic New Sheridan Hotel, the opera house was built in 1913 and boasts a sweeping grand staircase that ushers eventgoers into a regal-yetintimate 238-person venue, replete with two levels of burgundy velour and cast-iron seats set before a rich wood-wrapped stage. Ornate floral stencil paintings adorn the walls, offering a rare example of the transitional period between the late 1800s Art Nouveau style and the Craftsman tradition of the 1920s. Since 1991, the nonprofit Sheridan Arts Foundation has diligently cared for the opera house, including a decade-long restoration in partnership with the Town of Telluride and the Colorado Historical Society. To support this important work, visit sheridanoperahouse.com/donate.

— with Martinique Davis

And now?

Today, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival is considered the preeminent Americana roots festival in the world. An award-winning event that sells out each year, the festival draws 10,000 festivarians each summer solstice weekend to the Fred Shellman Memorial Stage in Town Park for music, workshops and more. With an eye to the future, the festival has a longstanding commitment to sustainability with initiatives to reduce waste, incentivize reuse and recycling and send leftover food to local food banks. Bluegrass offsets 100 percent of emissions created by the event, including travel to and from Telluride, something it has been doing since 2007. For some years now, the event has donated the considerable proceeds of its beer booth tip jar to area nonprofits.

The Telluride Film Festival likewise has an international reputation as a gathering that is both eclectic (“a film buff’s film festival” is how it is of-

ten described) and relevant. How relevant? For an incredible stretch beginning in 2009 with Slumdog Millionaire, eight of nine winners in a row of the Oscar for best film had their premiere in Telluride. From its humble beginnings with just two venues, today’s event, which sells out months in advance, now has 10, seven of which are created especially for the festival, still always held Labor Day weekend. Sadly, in recent months Bill Pence (who along with Stella stepped back from Film Fest in 2006) and Tom Luddy have both passed away, leaving the Sheridan Opera House’s “SHOW” sign, itself a festival emblem, a little dimmer.

Still, Tice remarks, “It’s pretty impressive to see what these events have become.”

Says Bedford, “Whether it was for Bluegrass or Film, there was just this idea of Telluride, a beautiful place that was always welcoming to those crazy people who came to us with great ideas.”

Pamela Gentile

Telluride Ski Resort / Melissa Plantz / Willie Nelson, Bluegrass 1999

STILL WILD, STILL WEST(ERN)

Kid-focused Wild West Fest celebrates 30 years

BY ELLEN METRICK

Those who get to experience the Telluride region know how the combination of clean air, stunning views and time in the outdoors and community lifts spirits, makes confidence glow and connects people. That combination also makes the annual week-long Sheridan Arts Foundation Wild West Fest a legend among the underserved youth who have had the joy of basking in the box canyon’s light, and this year’s 30th anniversary celebration will be no exception.

“It was so different when we started in 1993,” says Ronnie Palamar, SAF’s executive director. “Sandra Carradine brought six kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Denver to ski. Now, we have around 40 kids, numerous volunteers, mentors

and the Boys and Girls Club counselors. The SAF staff all play a big part, from obtaining lodging, buying groceries and contacting Boys and Girls groups, to booking concerts and being available during the week’s festivities. It’s a lot of fundraising, too.”

Each year, SAF raises around $40,000 to gift this experience to kids at no cost to them or their families. This year, young people from clubs in New Mexico, Alabama, Texas and Denver, and local youth from the west end of Montrose County will attend. The festival has had a few changes over the years, has grown and downsized, has featured big celebrity names and local talent, but one thing is still true, says Palamar, “The focus is really on the kids. It’s very meaningful for these kids to

Sarah Schwab

Josh Laydon

experience something they wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”

“Seeing the kids grow just over a couple of days astonishes me every year,” says Maggie Stevens, SAF’s marketing director. “They make friends from across the country they would’ve never made before, perform on stage for the first time on an instrument they’ve never played, or tell fish stories after fly-fishing for the first time.”

George Patterson, cultural arts specialist at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver, has been attending with kids from his program since 1995. “I’ve seen the effect it has on kids; most of the people that I have taken and have run across later, they all mention and remember Telluride. By now it’s a famous trip. People know.”

Patterson chooses youth through an essay application and through being with them throughout the year. “I have to see them participating, making positive choices, doing well in school,” he says.

One of the things Patterson most appreciates about the festival is the mentorships, which this year include experiences in outdoor adventures, Mark Galbo’s Rock and Roll Academy, fly-fishing, life on the ranch, hoop dancing and fine arts.

While the mentorships are the hub of the weeklong experience, the kids will also attend a barbe-

que, a pool party, a concert with the 615 Collective from Nashville, team-building and horseback riding activities, and stay in downtown Telluride in condos donated by patrons. “Students will also have a meet and greet with Telluride mixed-media artist Molly Perrault, who is making an anniversary collage for the T-shirts, poster, program, etc.,” says Stevens. “The original will also be available to purchase.”

Leah Heidenrich, SAF’s Young People’s Theater director, set up the mentorships this year. The final challenge of the mentorship is a public performance, which is part of the 30th anniversary celebration. “The big event for folks who are in town for this week is the Friday shindig,” she says. “We plan to close part of main street, have sheep shearing, horse-pulled wagon rides, and the kids will get to perform their mentorships. Yellow Bird, an Arizona-based professional hoop dancer group of the Apache Nation, will also be performing. The public is welcome.”

GO WEST

To sponsor a child for the festival and for event information, visit sheridanoperahouse.com/ wild-west-fest.

‘IT’S VERY MEANINGFUL FOR THESE KIDS TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING THEY WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO OTHERWISE.’

Ronnie Palamar

Sarah Schwab

Eric England

WE’RE ALL FESTIVARIANS

This is a special summer in Telluride and Mountain Village, with some festivals celebrating significant anniversaries, while others are brand new. What our cherished gatherings have in common, though, is the ability to bring us together to enjoy, explore and experience the best of the arts and more in the most beautiful place on earth.

MOUNTAINFILM

MAY 25 – 29

Using the power of film, art and ideas, Mountainfilm has inspired audiences to create a better world since 1979. Held every Memorial Day weekend, the Mountainfilm festival brings together a community of filmmakers and change makers, showcasing documentary films that celebrate adventure, activism, social justice, environment and indomitable spirit.

TELLURIDE FOOD & VINE FESTIVAL

JUNE 1 – 4

The exceptional Telluride Food & Vine promises the ultimate epicurean experience for residents and visitors alike. Over four days, the event, which is new this year, will showcase the exceptional talents of renowned chefs, wine and spirit producers, culinary personalities and more.

BALLOON FEST

JUNE 2 – 4

The event draws hot-air balloons and balloonists to the box canyon for a truly unforgettable sight as the colorful orbs are launched mornings from Town Park to float serenely above the valley. On Saturday evening, head to main street for the exquisite Balloon Glow.

WILD WEST FEST

JUNE 4 – 10

The Sheridan Arts Foundation invites underserved youth from the West End and Boys and Girls Clubs around the country to gather, at no cost, in Telluride for an empowering arts, culture and custom. For more, see page 28.

CHAMBER MUSIC & MUSICFEST

JUNE 24 – JULY 2

Chamber Music celebrates its golden anniversary this year with some exciting developments. The entity is now a classical music series, showcasing inspiring musicians, local, national and international, year-round. And fear not, last year’s collaboration with MusicFest is set to continue this year with nine days of intimate concerts in a beautiful private home, as well as beloved community spaces like the Wilkinson Public Library and Palm Theatre.

YOGA FESTIVAL

JUNE 22 – 25

Both intimate and world class, this inspirational gathering, which turns 15 this year, offers yoga, meditation, music, wellness workshops, outdoor adventures and more. An unforgettable weekend of connection and inspiration.

PLEIN AIR

JUNE 28 – JULY 4

For its largest summer fundraiser, the Sheridan Arts Foundation brings renowned artists from around the country to paint the charming architecture of Telluride and surrounding natural beauty. The festival includes a quick-draw competition, artist choice cocktail party and threeday exhibition and sale, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit that owns and operates the historic Sheridan Opera House.

BLUEGRASS JUNE 15-18

ART + ARCHITECTURE

JULY 10 – 16

Celebrate the art and design talent that thrives in this community. Join in on garden and home tours highlighting the artistry of architects, interior designers, landscape designers, fine artists, chefs, winemakers, brewers, authors, musicians and other innovators. A fascinating event, popular among locals, part-timers and visitors alike.

The preeminent Americana roots music festival, this summer Bluegrass celebrates its 50th annual event with four days of music over the traditional Solstice weekend. As well as performances on the iconic Town Park stage (where the 2023 headliners include Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, The String Cheese Incident, Sam Bush Band, Emmylou Harris featuring Watchhouse, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, and Gregory Alan Isakov), the festival weekend also includes workshops, a songwriting/band contest and musical collaborations galore. Expect a very special experience. For more, see page 20.

Josh Laydon

Sarah Schwab

AMERICANA MUSIC JULY 13-16

American songwriters and acoustic music are in the spotlight at this wondrous festival, which has partnered with eminent singer-songwriter Jack Ingram and his partners, Jennifer Stevens and Kevin Howard. The trio will be curating the music and coordinating VIP experiences with artists throughout the weekend. A highlight is Sunday’s concert, a benefit for the venerable Sheridan Opera House.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

AUGUST 11 – 13

Since 1977, this gathering has celebrated the true American art form by bringing together acclaimed jazz, funk, soul and gospel artists — including legends, up-and-comers and the best student bands in the country — for a truly transformative experience that this year features Gregory Porter, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Tower of Power and more.

MUSHROOM FESTIVAL

AUGUST 16 – 23

Presented by the Telluride Institute, the festival brings together fungi fanatics, culinary experts, myco-artists and scientists who lecture and provide workshops and forays to attendees. For more than 40 years, the gathering has taken a deep dive into edible, toxic, psychoactive fungi and more. It is the largest wild mushroom festival in North America and is also quirky, thoughtful and informative. A highlight is the mushroom-themed main street parade and drumming party. Hands down a local favorite.

TELLURIDE RESERVE

AUGUST 17 – 19

A food and wine event, Telluride Reserve, which has been reimagined, features chefs, purveyors, winemakers, sommeliers and mixologists for an exceptional exploration of taste and culture. Each event is centered around industry collaboration and connects guests with admired creators from within the worlds of food and wine.

BLUES & BREWS

SEPTEMBER 15 – 17

AUTUMN CLASSIC SEPTEMBER 21 – 24

FILM FEST

AUGUST 31 – SEPT 4

A film lover’s film fest, the Telluride Film Festival manages to be both esoteric and relevant. The laidback event — its 50th fest takes place this year — showcases the best in film with brilliantly crafted programming. For more, see page 20.

Telluride’s feisty farewell kiss to its summer festival season is this lively event that features a Brewers Showcase and a line-up — like this year’s headliners Bonnie Raitt, The Roots and The Revivalists — of world-class blues, funk, indie, rock, jam-band, gospel and soul acts. There’s also a plethora of other activities, including family-friendly fun and free morning yoga sessions. When the sun goes down, the lights go up in the Juke Joints, late-night club shows.

Formerly Cars and Colors, the Telluride Autumn Classic remains a celebration of automobiles and colorful fall foliage, but now includes excellence in craftsmanship and engineering.

ORIGINAL THINKERS

OCTOBER 5-8

At the intersection between story and idea is Original Thinkers. Telluride’s ideas festival, the event gathers us under fall’s glowing aspens for an immersive and intimate experience featuring thoughtprovoking speakers, film and art that tell stories from all walks of life. Programming encourages engagement, will inspire (but not overwhelm) and provides time to connect with the ideas and stunning landscape. Go.

HORROR SHOW

OCTOBER 13-15

It isn’t just that it’s Colorado’s first and longestrunning horror film festival, or that its Instagram feed gives us sweaty palms, or even that MovieMaker named it one of the coolest film festivals. No, what makes this one of our faves is its passionate fans, who descend on our little town for a mix of horror, suspense, fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy. Watching their enthusiasm makes us feel all warm and fuzzy, until the theater lights go down and our spines begin to tingle.

Eric Moore Photography

Alex Laney

RyanBonneau

Ryan Bonneau

ADVENTURES AWAIT

The region’s backyard stands

HIKING / RUNNING

Trails weaving throughout the mountains afford hikers a quick jaunt to a nearby waterfall or an opportunity to spend the day traversing high-alpine-terrain, uncovering old mining ruins and viewing wildflowers. The trail system in the region has extensive options for a range of levels. Before any hike, consult trail descriptions and a map, check the weather and be prepared with layers, water and sunscreen. Remember to take good care of our backyard by disposing of pet waste and trash properly and avoid using single-use plastics, which are more likely than reusables to be left behind.

For a full list of outfitters and guides, go to page 85.

ready to comfort and recharge body, mind and spirit, and provide some summer fun

ROCK CLIMBING

The area’s routes include jagged peaks, boulders and extensive wall faces that provide a variety of climbing and bouldering opportunities for all abilities. For those learning the sport or seeking local know-how, a number of guide services are available, and local maps, information and gear can be found at many sport shops. The Telluride Mountain Club reminds adventurers of all levels that many routes, in particular the Via Ferrata, require technical ability and appropriate gear.

FISHING

Telluride is an enthusiast’s paradise in every season, offering a different experience for fishing throughout the region. From the Dolores River and the easily accessible San Miguel River to the many area ponds and lakes, there is a fishing adventure for everyone. Local guides know the ins and outs of the area’s rivers and streams, offering guided tours and invaluable advice about flies and water complexities.

Nola Svoboda

Ryan Bonneau

Telluride Ski Resort |

Brett Schreckengost

RZRS

RZRs are small recreational off-road vehicles with options for one, two or four riders. They are also a lot of fun. Local outfitters offer half-day tours of the backcountry for first-timers as well as experienced four-wheelers, with activities to suit all tastes and levels. Buckle up and have a blast.

BIKING

The region provides a striking backdrop for road and mountain bikers with a variety of terrain for all abilities. Mountain bikers will find challenging trails that explore old mining roads and basins high above the box canyon and ski resort, as well as moderate trails on former railroad tracks. Another exciting option is the bike park on the Telluride Ski Resort and high-desert trails networks in Norwood and farther west. Road riding is popular along the scenic San Juan Skyway.

HORSEBACK / WAGON RIDES

Horseback riding in the San Juans is a favorite memory-maker for families. Have an Old West experience by riding through aspen groves and alpine meadows on horseback. Outfitters offer guided daytime outings, half-day trail rides and overnight trips. Or try a wagon ride followed by a gourmet dinner served outdoors. Altogether an unforgettable experience.

4X4 OFF ROAD

Telluride’s mining days carved a string of roads into the San Juan Mountains over 100 years ago. Today, those same routes offer access to the high country as experienced guides lead tours over mountain passes past ghost towns and high alpine meadows filled with wildflowers and wildlife. Explore the rugged beauty of the area on one of the many 4x4 tours, such as over Imogene Pass to the old mining camp of Tomboy or over Ophir Pass to the town of Silverton. Using a local guide will add to the experience.

Kaycee Joubert / Real Life Photographs

Ryan Bonneau

Telluride Ski Resort

WATER SPORTS

As the snow melts, area lakes and rivers become playgrounds for rafting, kayaking and tubing with vistas second to none. Local outfitters take paddlers on half-day or full-day excursions through class II to III+ rapids. There is also SUPing (stand-up paddleboarding), a great way to soak up the sun while getting a workout. If that sounds like too much hard work, grab an inner tube and meander along the San Miguel River from Town Park downstream on a summer’s afternoon.

BASE CAMP Mountain Village

Located at 9,545 feet above sea level, Telluride’s high-alpine twin is a hub for summer activity.

Telluride Bike Park

Mountain bike enthusiasts can revel in interconnected, lift-accessed trails that weave a network of freeride, technical and cross-country routes for almost every level of rider. The routes tie into established U.S. Forest Service trails, part of an area trails network. Oh yeah — that’s nearly 50 miles of riding.

Fun for All Ages

Spend the afternoon exploring the kid-friendly activities that are dotted around the Village Center. There are giant Jenga and Connect Four games, a bouldering rock, ropes course, bungee trampoline, disc golf course and more. Or visit a local outfitter for equipment and meander over to Elk Lake, Mountain Village’s designated fishing pond. The Telluride Racquet Club, on the grounds of the Peaks Resort and Spa, offers tennis and pickleball for more fun in the sun.

Canopy Adventure

Hiking Trails

Varied hikes wind their way around Mountain Village and the surrounding slopes and offer stunning vistas. A favorite is the Ridge Trail, a 2-mile intermediate route that offers hikers two options with varying degrees of difficulty. Ride the Gondola to San Sophia Station and hike the Ridge Trail down to the Village Center. Or, if your gang is feeling energetic, hike the route uphill to San Sophia Station, which connects with more challenging trails.

TOWN PARK

A hub of activity year-round, Telluride Town Park is home to family fun in a beautiful setting. In the summer, you’ll find softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a skate park, the Imagination Station, a six-lane pool and more. Walks to Upper and Lower Bear Creek Falls can be accessed from the park, which is also the venue for many of the town’s festivals.

Ready for an adrenaline rush? Try this course of ziplines, aerial bridges and rappels that span terrain in the Village Express (Lift 4) area of the Telluride Ski Resort. Reaching a maximum height of 140 feet above the forest floor and with zipline traverses as long as 1,800 feet, this fully guided tour takes about three hours and offers unforgettable vistas and thrills.

Telluride Ski Resort

Melissa Plantz

Ryan Bonneau

THE A-Z OF E-BIKES

Where electricity-powered bicycles can and cannot go

BY ERIN SPILLANE

If you are one of the growing number of electronic bike users locally, where can you take your e-bike, besides roadways? Read on to learn more about the local rules regarding the practical, climate-friendly e-bikes that continue to grow in popularity by leaps and bounds.

TOWN OF TELLURIDE

In Telluride, conservation easements prohibit e-bikes on the Valley Floor or in Bear Creek Preserve. E-bikes are also prohibited on the River Trail from Boomerang Road to the east side of the Gold Run housing development. On Town Park pathways, “e-bikes are discouraged due to their higher speeds and associated safety concerns on these multi-use and highly used pathways,” according to Stephanie Jaquet, the Town’s parks and recreation director. E-bikes are permitted on the paved bike path that runs alongside the Highway 145 spur, and, like bikes and e-scooters, are not allowed on sidewalks, and are subject to the same rules as any other road user.

TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

In Mountain Village, everywhere human-powered bikes are permitted to go, e-bikes can go too. “We treat them the same as bikes, so they can go on any of our trails where regular bikes are allowed,” said Jim Loebe, the Town of Mountain Village’s transit director.

Loebe added that the Town sees e-bikes as “the wave of the future and we want to accommodate them as much as possible. We are looking to build out charging infrastructure in key locations and provide more parking for bikes and e-bikes as part of our policy of encouraging active transit.”

He noted that there are a few places in Mountain Village where bikes, and therefore e-bikes, are not allowed, including the dismount area that encompasses the plazas and walkways in the Village Center, and the Ridge Trail, which is pedestrian only.

Loebe, who heads the team that oversees the Gondola, pointed to the transit system as one place where e-bikes are treated differently, largely because of their weight. “E-bikes are heavy so they can’t go on the door racks, they need to use the rear rack of the cabin instead,” he said, adding that in some cases the weight of the e-bike is such that it has to go in the cabin itself, in which case it’s one e-bike per cabin.

Added Loebe, “If someone wants to take an e-bike on the Gondola, they need to load it themselves.”

SAN MIGUEL COUNTY

Most of the County’s trails were created by conservation easements that don’t allow for motorized use, which means that on many of the County’s popular trails in the east end, such as the Idarado Legacy Trail, Remine Creek trail, Aldasoro trail, Keystone Gorge Loop trail, Coal Chutes Loop and the Galloping Goose trail, e-bikes are prohibited.

They are permitted on Tomboy and Bridal Veil (K69) roads, according to Director of Parks and Open Space Janet Kask, who oversees the County’s Open Space Commission. Kask also explained that in 2020, the Board of County Commissioners directed the OSC to identify County trails where e-bikes might be appropriate.

After studying the issue, Kask said, the group recommended that class 1 e-bikes be permitted on the County’s Whiskey Charlie 62 Trail, a 3.5-mile trail that follows the Rio Grande Southern Railroad along Highway 62, and the M59 River Trail, a 4.3-mile dirt road accessible just east of Sawpit behind the state road shop near Deep Creek. (By far the most prevalent e-bike sold in the United States according to Bicycling Magazine, class 1 e-bikes are pedal-assisted, have no throttle and a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph.)

“The OSC felt there wasn’t much difference between a mountain bike and a class 1 e-bike,” Kask noted of the decision, which also recommended that class 2 and 3 e-bikes continue to be limited to “paved/hard surfaces and roadways.”

TELLURIDE SKI RESORT

The ski resort also makes the distinction between class 1 e-bikes and the heavier, more powerful classes 2 and 3, by permitting e-bikes on biking trails that are within the resort’s permit area, but limiting that access to class 1 e-bikes. The e-bike-friendly policy, which was detailed in a June 2022 press release, excludes Boomerang and the Wasatch Connection, both of which lead directly to U.S. Forest Service land, where e-bikes are not permitted.

The resort allows e-bikes to be loaded on Lift 4, and exit the San Sophia mid-station on the Gondola. In the release announcing the policy, the resort pointed out that permitting the use of e-bikes was partly an inclusion issue, with the resort’s vice president of sales and marketing, Patrick Latcham, noting that “e-bikes will provide the opportunity for some of our older or disabled guests to get on the mountain.” A ski resort trail where bikes and e-bikes are not permitted is Telluride Trail.

FEDERALLY MANAGED LANDS

Much of the land surrounding the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, as well as the Telluride Ski Resort, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. According to USFS District Ranger Megan Eno, class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are permitted on motorized trails and roads on National Forest system lands. Of non-motorized trails, Eno said in an email, “Before a decision to expand the use of e-bikes on currently designated non-motorized trails, the Forest Service must first conduct the appropriate environmental analysis and public engagement (NEPA), just like any other project that alters the use of National Forest system lands.” For now, that means that, locally, e-bikes are prohibited on a number of popular non-motorized trails, including Jud Wiebe, Mill Creek, Deep Creek, Wasatch Trail, Liberty Bell, Eider Creek and trails in the Lizard Head Wilderness.

The Telluride Tourism Board’s summer trail maps also indicates where e-bikes are permitted. Maps are available in locally distributed issues of the Guide, at the Visitors Center at 236 W. Colorado Ave., in lodging properties and from outfitters.

day spa

Massage

Luxury & Active Facials

Frotox & Cryo Aesthetics

Lash Extensions

Professional Make Up

Cryo Sculpting/Slimming

wellness spa

Salt Cave Therapy

Essential Oil Oxygen Lounge

Far Infrared Sauna Therapy

Colon Hydrotherapy

Lymphatic Massage

Cryotherapy Pain Management

Melissa Plantz

Arobust trail system is akin to the circulatory system in our bodies. Vital to overall health, trails connect us to the outdoors, pump blood through our veins and make our hearts happy.

The tasks of planning, improving and maintaining such a system is the work of the Telluride Mountain Club, led by Executive Director Heidi Lauterbach and Trails Director Jordan Carr.

Their work, Lauterbach explains, is guided by a number of factors, including a 2019 trails sustainability plan that, importantly, contains an updated inventory of trails, plus proposals for improvements, and a 2022 regional trails survey, which found that over 78 percent of respondents wanted to see new trails, connectors, reroutes or an expansion of the trail inventory. “We’ve identified seven different areas regionally where we can better connect to current trails to improve our trails system and provide a better user experience that the community is seeking,” she adds.

and erosion. We consider the topography and features to determine where to put switchbacks. Then there are land-use issues — private versus public land, wilderness versus non-wilderness and so on.”

In proposing new trails, the mountain club works with various entities including the U.S. Forest Service, San Miguel County, the Towns of Telluride and Mountain Village and other stakeholders before putting trails proposals through the proper processes and NEPA (National Environmental Protection Agency) analysis.

‘IT’S BIG WORK GETTING THE TRAILS OPEN IN THE SPRINGTIME.’

Carr has considerable experience in trail building with 10 years working as a professional, including time at the International Mountain Biking Association, as well as on projects in Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Japan, United Arab Emirates, North Macedonia and Finnish Lapland. He says of current plans, “It takes about three years of process planning for one year of trail construction. We’ve given our proposals

to the forest service, but nothing has been passed through NEPA yet. My guesstimate is we’re about five to seven years before we will see this project realized on the ground.”

In the meantime, both Carr and Lauterbach encourage recreationists to get on the mountain club’s website and social media sites and let them know about existing, real-time trail conditions and maintenance needs. Says Lauterbach, “With Jordan, we can do trail quick fixes fast.”

As for immediate projects, Lauterbach and Carr say they are both excited about the Mill Creek Eider Connector and the new Jud Wiebe Bridge completed last summer. This summer’s priorities are significant maintenance on the T-35 trail just south of Mountain Village, and reroute work on the west end of the Deep Creek Trail. And, of course, there is trail clean-up and maintenance.

Says Carr, “It’s big work getting the trails open in the springtime.”

Those of us who plan to make our hearts happy on area trails this summer can only be grateful.

Given the region’s terrain, environmental considerations and landownership issues, any work on the trails network takes careful planning. “The trail has to sustain itself,” Lauterbach says. “We must consider the impact of huge rains, then drainage

MAKING OUR HEARTS HAPPY

How the Telluride Mountain Club works to keep the region’s trail system robust

BY JESSE JAMES M c TIGUE

SUPPORT OUR TRAILS

With the Opt-in for Trails program, the Telluride Mountain Club partners with local businesses to raise funds for trails. Participants identify a way to donate that is best for them and their customers, including a 1 percent donation or a round-up option at checkout, or other customized giving. The Telluride Tourism Board, for instance, donates proceeds from the Telluride Calendar, available for purchase at Between the Covers and at telluride.com. Visit telluridemountainclub.org/ opt-in-for-trails/ for more.

Jordan Carr

Ryan Bonneau

WONDERS OUT WEST

Norwood is a hidden haven for outdoor enthusiasts

BY ALLISON BILLS

You may never have visited Norwood, Telluride’s high-desert neighbor to the west.

If not, now’s the time.

“Norwood is surrounded by the massive Uncompahgre Plateau, the magnificent San Juans and the La Sals, all underneath one of the nation’s largest Dark Sky regions, and people barely know it’s here,” says John Metzger of the Norwood Chamber of Commerce.

At 7,011 feet in elevation, Norwood is a ranching community with a milder climate than Telluride, a hidden haven that offers vast opportunities for biking, hiking, stargazing, fishing, paddleboarding, off-roading, hunting, horseback riding and climbing, all amidst wide-open spaces redolent of the American West.

And, yet, says Norwood chamber member Nola Svoboda, “Even on weekends and busy holidays, nothing ever feels too busy, the trailheads and parking areas are never full. There is always somewhere to camp and there is always space for everyone.”

Drive to Norwood, a scenic 50 minutes from Telluride, and you’ll notice the International Dark Sky Community signs at the entrance to town. It’s a rare achievement — fewer than 40 communities in the world have that accolade.

“It means that no matter how much Norwood grows, maintaining its dark skies and ability to step outside and view the stars will always remain a top priority,” Svoboda says. Unsurprisingly, she adds,

the real way to experience Norwood and its vast night skies is camping.

“Whether it’s one of the designated camping areas or dispersed camping on BLM and national forest land, campsites are very spread out,” Svoboda says. Miramonte Reservoir, Busted Arm Draw, Thunder Trails (within the first trail loop) and along the San Miguel River at Caddis Flats and the Lower Beaver campgrounds, all have designated spots with fire rings.

While the stars are a highlight in Norwood, there’s plenty to do during daylight hours, too. Svoboda, a photographer and outdoor enthusiast, starts with Miramonte Reservoir at the base of Lone Cone Peak, which has two boat ramps and offers boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, paddle boarding, canoeing, kayaking, fishing and plenty of sunshine. “It’s definitely the local favorite and Norwood’s not-so-little secret,” she says.

For land-lubbers, there are two main trails systems: Thunder Trails and Burn Canyon Trails. Says Svoboda, “Both are relatively flat, offering more of a mellow high-desert riding experience with short as well as gradual climbs, and short as well as long gradual descents, very different from

riding in the mountains of Telluride.”

The Thunder Trails were created by a local dirt bike group and have 19 miles of singletrack riding split between four loops. Since they are open to both motorized, including e-bikes, and non-motorized use, there are a variety of technical riding levels from beginner to advanced. The Burn Canyon Trails are only open for non-motorized use and contain 8.6 miles of singletrack riding across four different loops, geared more for beginner to intermediate riders. “What makes Norwood’s bike trails great [is] the lack of people on the trail,” Svoboda says. “You will rarely run into anyone else.”

One place you will run into people is the annual San Miguel Basin Rodeo, a cherished community celebration that honors Norwood’s rich ranching history. Now in its 118th year, the event features professional and junior rodeos and a fair.

Don’t ig-Norwood — its vibrant recreation scene, dark skies designation and wide-open spaces make it a must-stop spot while in the area.

WHILE THE STARS ARE A HIGHLIGHT IN NORWOOD, THERE’S PLENTY TO DO DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.

Photos Nola Svoboda

A HISTORIC HUB

Every small town has a space that functions as a nucleus, a place from which social and cultural currents emanate outwards like circuits into the greater network of the community.

Telluride’s Depot building has long been one of those spaces.

BY MARTINIQUE DAVIS

This National Historic Landmark, originally built in 1891 as a station for the Rio Grande Southern Railway, has evolved alongside the community throughout Telluride’s different iterations. As Telluride evolved from boom-to-bust mining town to renowned resort destination, the Depot building has largely preserved its function as an important center of interaction and engagement. Its newest chapter, as the home of Telluride Science, looks to continue that trend.

The Depot was built at the height of the San Juan silver boom, as the Telluride station on the

Durango to Ridgway railway. It served as the local hub of transportation and commerce for the next 60 years, moving the minerals generated by the surrounding mines, as well as goods and travelers. During this time, the building was also home to the town’s telegraph office, and thus became the nexus of communication from Telluride to the outside world.

While the local mining industry survived the Silver Crisis of 1893, thanks in large part to the other minerals such as zinc, copper and gold discovered in area mines, Telluride’s standing as a mining boomtown wouldn’t last forever. Market pressures, world wars, and a steady decline in population ultimately led to the Rio Grande Southern ceasing operations in 1951, leaving the Depot building deserted for the next four decades.

Telluride’s revival as a recreation resort destination in the 1970s prompted steady growth in

The beautiful and important Depot celebrates its past and looks to the future

From The R.G.S. Story: Rio Grande SouthernVolume II

the town. It wasn’t until 1990, however, that the Depot saw its first reinvigoration. After decades of neglect, the building was in a severe state of disrepair, so new owners Chuck and Sue Cobb undertook a major project in restoring the historic building, including lifting it and moving it onto a new foundation.

After renovations were complete, the Depot began its next 20 years as a prime location for local food and beverage businesses. In 1991 James Loo opened the San Juan Brewing Co. at the Depot, with the now-famous String Cheese Incident band playing its first-ever paid gig in the space on New Year’s Eve 1993. Harmon Brown then opened Harmon’s at the Depot restaurant in 1996, ushering a new era of fine dining there.

By 2007, the restaurant had closed and the space had become home to one of Telluride’s iconic nonprofit organizations, the Ah Haa School for the Arts. For the next 13 years, art students of all ages found inspiration within the old building, as it once again became a true com-

munity space for art classes, shows, fundraisers, weddings and special events.

Meanwhile, Telluride Science, another iconic Telluride entity, was in the hunt for a permanent home. Following an impressive fundraising campaign, the organization purchased the Depot in October of 2020, and immediately leased it to the Telluride Medical Center to support the community’s response to the pandemic. In the fall, Telluride Science began renovations which will bring the beautiful Depot into its next era, as the nucleus of scientific exploration, providing classroom, meeting and casual spaces for the scientists who flock to Telluride each summer to participate in the organization’s renowned programming.

Mark Kozak, executive director of Telluride Science, says the Depot has long held the imagi-

nation of the scientists who have visited the space over the years to participate in meetings and other events. “The scientists always loved the character and sense of place of the building and the property and found it ideal for innovation and collaboration,” he says, adding that the intent of the building’s new design is to maintain that sense of place.

As he explains, The Depot’s renovation will lean into a mix of contemporary and industrial design, “to reflect the frontiers of science and technology while paying tribute to the history of the building and Telluride.”

When complete, the Depot will once again serve as a nexus for interaction and exchange, continuing this celebrated building’s colorful history.

WE THE DEPOT

When work is complete, the Depot will be a mix of contemporary and industrial design elements, reflecting the frontiers of science and technology while paying tribute to the history of the building and Telluride. It’s a project that is expected to culminate in a grand opening in 2024. Telluride Science’s director of donor relations, Annie Carlson, urges anyone interested in supporting this critical restoration to visit telluridescience.org/donate.

IN THE FALL, TELLURIDE SCIENCE BEGAN RENOVATIONS WHICH WILL BRING THE HISTORIC DEPOT INTO ITS NEXT ERA.

Photo courtesy Telluride Historical

Museum, all rights reserved

Telluride's premier food and wine festival, providing the ultimate epicurean experience in Colorado's most beautiful location.

Telluride Theatre welcomes new staff, a new office and a scintillating summer schedule

BY EMILY SHOFF

Telluride Theatre’s catchphrase, Magic and Possibility, doesn’t just apply to its shows; the organization itself is all about the enchantment and limitless possibilities that come about through innovation, creativity and hard work.

Take the nonprofit theater group’s recent staffing developments that have led it to have an entirely female-led team. Telluride Theatre hired Mary Higgins earlier this year as its new development and operations manager. Higgins has appeared in Telluride Theatre productions for the last five years and worked extensively in theater nonprofits, as well as at local organizations like the Telluride Academy and Telluride Historical Museum. Now, she will manage Telluride Theatre’s fundraising and grant writing efforts, as well as donor and membership relations. “That makes Telluride Theatre one of a handful of female-led theater groups in the West,” Artistic Director Sasha Cucciniello says, adding that the other invaluable member of their executive trio, Melissa Trn, serves as the troupe’s producing director.

Trn, who was hired in December 2021 and moved to Telluride from L.A., has been instrumental in Telluride Theatre’s successes, according to Cucciniello. “Melissa has an amazing theater background. She goes from top to bottom, working with designers and the people working tech.” Cucciniello also describes how Trn’s work in production frees her, as the artistic director, to really focus on the artistic side — choosing shows for the season, selecting the actors and getting an overarching view of what they are doing as a group. “We are a great team. We balance each other out really well.”

In addition, last summer Telluride Theatre brought a highly regarded California-based director of theater and film, Becca Wolff,

to town to direct the annual Shakespeare in the Park production, which last year was All’s Well That Ends Well. “Wolff instantly connected with everyone in the group,” Cucciniello says of the guest director. “We are an educational theater, one that really strives to be inclusive. Our annual Shakespeare production epitomizes that. We have veteran actors working alongside never-evers. I love this about our company and this town. Becca did a great job of meeting everyone at their level.”

According to Cucciniello, Wolff enjoyed the experience too, falling in love with the town as well as the job. “Some people come to Telluride and can’t quite figure it out. Within weeks, Becca had integrated, Telluride became her place.” The organization is bringing Wolff back to direct Hamlet, this summer’s Shakespeare in the Park production, which takes place July 21-29 on the Town Park stage.

And there are more changes afoot at Telluride Theatre. The group recently secured a new space for staff to work from. “We lost the office we rented for years,” Cucciniello says, reflecting on the challenges of using multiple venues for productions while hunting for an office. “Luckily, we were able to purchase another office in town. It’s tiny but it’s our own.”

This summer promises to be scintillating as Telluride Theatre continues to keep the magic side of its mission alive, not only with Shakespeare in the Park, but also with its annual gala, which as always is a secret shindig in a secret location. Cucciniello muses on the event, which this summer is scheduled for July 1.

“It’s such a fun night that seems to vanish into the ethers afterwards,” she says. “I always walk away wondering if I dreamed it or if it actually happened. A bit like our theater productions.”

MAGIC, POSSIBILITY & THEN SOME

Lot 97 BASQUE BOULEVARD

Aldasoro

Beautiful 3 acre lot with astounding views. Located four miles from Telluride and Mountain Village. Full detailed building plans included with purchase. Offered at $1,950,000 MLS no. 41296

99 LOOKOUT LANE

Mountain Village, Colorado

Become the 4th partner in ownership of this outstanding home. Construction to start 2024. Plans are fully approved with builder in place. Partners to share expenses and usage.

5 bedroom/5 bath home, prized architecture, double loaded mountain views, easy walking distance to the Mountain Village core and ski lifts. Pricing and details upon request.

FAIRMONT HERITAGE PLACE

FRANZ KLAMMER LODGE

Deeded-Fractional Interests Mountain Village

All Franz Klammer deeds are priced from $22,500 up to $650,000. Some deeds include RU Telluride Ski and Golf Club membership. Call me for current availability and pricing at 970.596.6398.

JEAN M. VATTER

970.596.6398 • jean@telluridevillagerealestate.com

telluridevillagerealestate.com

MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS

The al fresco music scene in Mountain Village is sensational this summer. First, look for a trio of popular concert series: the highly regarded Music on the Green, on Reflection Plaza Friday evenings until early September; the venerable Sunset Music Series, Wednesday evenings on Sunset Plaza until mid-August; and lively Music in the Village Center on Heritage Plaza Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons until mid-September. For one-off celebrations of music, head to FirstGrass (the June 14 event, on Sunset Plaza, kicks off the Telluride Bluegrass Festival weekend) and the Red, White and Blues Celebration, July 3-4 in the Village Center, which marks Independence Day.

A 50-YEAR PASSION FOR INDIGENOUS ART, CRAFTS

As much a gallery as it is an exquisite retail space, The Gordon Collection, located at 220 E. Colorado Ave., offers fine Navajo weaving, Native American jewelry and art. In a newly expanded space are exquisite pieces, artwork and textiles carefully curated throughout a 50-plus-year relationship between the Gordon family and indigenous creators across the American West.

“Every piece of our jewelry is handmade by Native American artisans; we are very specific on this,” says Corina Gordon, daughter of founder/owners Bill and Ginny Gordon. “We primarily carry Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and Santo Domingo styles. Along with contemporary jewelry, we also have a very extensive collection of vintage pieces. The larger space has allowed us to expand our Native American pottery and basket collections as well.”

As for The Gordon Collection’s textiles, Gordon notes, “We are now able to have a designated textile room to showcase our immense inventory of Navajo weavings. Every weaving is Navajo, handmade and original art. We have an amazing antique

collection with pieces that date back to the 1880s, as well as a large contemporary weaving collection.”

Corina Gordon explains that she shares the love and interest behind The Gordon Collection with her parents, whose passion

A HAPPENING HQ

drew them in the late 1960s to the Navajo Nation, where they served as teachers at an indigenous-led school before moving to Telluride and beginning their half-century as purveyors of indigenous arts and crafts. It’s a passion shared by long-time staff, Norwood couple Oak and Carrie Smith, she adds.

“It is incredibly important to us that people understand not only our love of Telluride and our history here,” Corina Gordon remarks, “but the long-term love, knowledge and interest we have in Native American people, arts and culture.”

For several years, the Transfer Warehouse, the cherished historic structure at South Fir and Pacific, had served as a hub for the performing arts. Now, with renovation work underway on the Transfer Warehouse, head to Telluride Arts HQ (located at 220 and 224 W. Colorado Ave.) for a summertime arts fix. The local arts council is both overseeing the renovation work and providing a happening spot for live music, spoken word performances, happy hour events and more. For further information, and to support the restoration project, visit telluridearts.org.

Michael Mowery

DELISH 101

Different ways to sharpen your culinary skills in Telluride and Mountain Village

BY EMILY SHOFF

Looking for an engaging break from hiking and biking this summer?

Try one of these local culinary classes — fun and instructive lessons that come in a variety of formats, from wine pairings to farm-to-table cooking classes to learnat-home demonstrations.

Ah Haa School for the Arts

Last summer, the Ah Haa School’s director of culinary arts, Jess Newens, started a Wednesday lunch program, Locals’ Lunches, with a simple goal: to build community. “I wanted to get people into Ah Haa and to get them talking. Food seemed like a good way to do it.” The program, which features highly regarded chefs from around the region, was wildly popular, so Newens decided to add a dinner option called Seasonal Suppers. The environment is intentionally casual. Chefs cook a favorite dish while explaining ingredients and techniques. Then teacher and students share the resulting meal together, with the option to purchase wine as an accompaniment.

That emphasis on community is reflected in the fact that the program receives funding from the Town of Telluride Commission for Community Assistance, Arts and Special Events, Newens notes.

The menus are diverse and include creative salads that draw ingredients from the local farmers’ markets, as well as Tibetan momos, grilled elk, Indian dosas and Navajo-inspired dishes. This summer, Ah Haa plans to add mezcal and whiskey tastings and mocktail classes, as well as Chef’s Table, a program specifically for groups of up to 10. Participants watch as a local chef prepares a special three-course meal while sharing techniques and stories.

Abie Livesay Photography

Courtesy Ah Haa School

221 South Oak

Twenty years ago, 221 South Oak’s owner/chef Eliza Gavin was asked to teach a cooking class, and from there things took off.

Over her two decades of teaching classes from her much-loved Telluride restaurant, Gavin, who can count a stint on the television series Top Chef, three published cookbooks and a number of prestigious stages among her many achievements, offers cooking classes that demonstrate the preparation of a dozen or so courses, with the restaurant’s sommelier pairing many of those courses with 10 wines. “I tell people to come hungry, to wear loose-fitting pants and to not make dinner reservations for the same day,” she quips.

Gavin adds that the menu changes frequently, but always incorporates dishes that are easy to replicate at home. The meal ends with a bang with four desserts. She says, “It’s really rewarding teaching people tricks of the trade. I’m always amazed how many men and women come — people who are just starting out in the kitchen and those who have been lifelong cooks.”

Gavin also emphasizes that teaching helps keep her recipes and techniques fresh. “I’m always brainstorming with my staff about how we can do something better. One of my books focuses on just vegetarian dishes, for example. Teaching reminds me of this, that there are always ways to mix it up.”

The Amend Collective

For those looking to move the party in-house, Tracie Amend of The Amend Collective, an in-demand catering, design and event planning company, has the perfect plan. Working with talented chef Nicola Peccedi, a longtime local who has presided over the kitchens at Alpino Vino and Rustico, Amend brings Italian-inspired cooking classes into people’s homes. “We’ve done a bit of everything, from multiage family groups to birthday parties,” Amend explains. “We recently did a Gal-entine’s party.” Typically, guests cook every dish together, with larger groups preparing different elements or courses. “We’ve made lots of different dishes: homemade pastas, ravioli stuffed with specialty items like crab, and gluten-free and regular pasta. Sometimes folks want a Colorado surf-and-turf themed menu like trout and bison. We do it all.” Amend adds that The Amend Collective’s path to success hasn’t been easy. The company opened in March 2020 and immediately had to pivot to a delivery service. Now, says Amend, “It’s great to be back this past year or so, cooking with people, doing what we intended to do: to bring a fun, immersive experience to people’s homes.”

Communion Wine Bar

With its wine and food pairing nights, Communion Wine Bar, which opened in Mountain Village last year, strives to be a celebration of community. “The name says it all — we are a common union, a

gathering place for friends and family,” explains Dustin Clements, one member of the Communion team that also includes Winston and Cameron Kelly, and Oulli Durham.

The bar offers pairing demonstrations that feature food from local chefs in a four- to six-course dinner. “With each dish, we explain why we make the food, how we decide to pair the wine with the food, what we look for,” Clements says. “We have wines from all over, but our focus is on lesser-known brands, and organic wines from smaller, family-run vineyards.”

Likewise, according to Clements, the menus used for the demos run the gamut, with offerings that have included sushi, elk tenderloin, Mediterranean-style and vegan-focused dishes. In line with the emphasis on community, during the summer the Wednesday menu ties in with regional produce from Mountain Village’s farmers’ market.

“It’s all about fun,” he adds. “Fun and community. We want people walking away, knowing a little more about wine and a little more about this place we get to call home.”

‘IT’S REALLY REWARDING TEACHING PEOPLE TRICKS OF THE TRADE.’

Eliza Gavin

Eric Moore Photography

TBC’S NEW ‘BEER LOVING’ MENU

Leave it to the folks at the Telluride Brewing Company to describe the new food menu at TBC’s Brewpub & Kitchen as “beer loving”. It’s only natural, though, given that the elevated pub food is typically paired with the local brewery’s awardwinning beer. Running the show are chef Kevin Bush and assistant manager Andrew Bass, who are based at the Brewpub & Kitchen’s perch beside Black Iron Kitchen in Mountain Village. This summer, hungry hikers, bikers and shoppers can nosh on menu items that include a classic burger with thick-cut potato chips, carne asada tacos, snacks and salads and grilled chicken wings with a choice of homemade buffalo sauce or Face Down Brown barbecue sauce. Yum.

OH YEAH, TACOS + BARBECUE

Run, don’t walk this summer to Borracho’s BBQ and Tacos at Poachers Pub in Mountain Village. The brainchild of highly regarded local chef Cody Yates, Borracho’s serves up a mouth-watering array of nachos, tacos, empanadas and sliders, and sides like tots and tostones with mojo sauce. There is also a truly glorious Golden Carolina barbecue sauce and rotating smoked specials like brisket and a rib dinner with coleslaw, smoked beans and jalapeño cornbread. There are options for dine-in or takeout, says Yates, who adds, “I also have an option on the menu called ‘Food for the Crew,’ where you can order a large amount of meat and sides, and sort of do your own style at home for families and groups.” Yates’ culinary experience dates back to his teens working at a Florida barbecue joint and eight years at restaurants on the Telluride Ski Resort. Now, as he presides over his own kitchen, how’s he feeling? Says Yates, “It’s been a dream.”

COMMUNITY COOKOUT BENEFITS THE BISON

Love barbecue? Love the West? If you answered “yes” to both (and who wouldn’t?), mark July 1 and the third annual Alpine Cookout on your summer calendar. The event takes place from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Reflection Plaza beside the Madeline Hotel and Residences in Mountain Village and features awardwinning chefs from around the West serving up delicious food from the grill. There’s also live music and family friendly activities for the kiddos. Best of all, proceeds from the Alpine Cookout go to Indigenous Led, a nonprofit focused on rewilding the American bison to its natural habitat in southwest Colorado.

THE HAPPIEST OF HOURS

Love a good happy hour? Uno, Dos, Tres has you covered. The fast-andfresh taco eatery at 123 S. Oak St., beloved locally for its casual and friendly vibe and a menu that runs the gamut from oldschool authentic to wildly creative, is celebrating happy hour daily this summer. Sip on two-forone margaritas — an Uno, Dos, Tres specialty — and sample $10 chips served with a trio of salsa, queso and guacamole. See you there.

Photos Melissa Plantz

Madeline Hotel & Residences Ryan Bonneau

TOY STORY

Enchanted Forest Toy Shoppe is a ‘kid-friendly oasis’

BY MARTINIQUE DAVIS

Ski towns, by nature, tend to cater more towards adults than their kiddo counterparts. But Telluride’s new toy store, Enchanted Forest Toy Shoppe, seeks to change that.

Co-owner Matty Kuzmich says he and business partner Carolyn Soules envisioned the store to be a kid-friendly oasis in the midst of a grownup world. “We wanted kids to walk in and have the feeling that this is a magical space, geared just towards them,” Kuzmich says.

A cacophony of color and texture greets visitors entering the cozy space on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Fir Street, where spacious windows and a muraled ceiling make for a welcome respite. All

manner of games and toys fill the 800-square-foot shop, for babies to teenagers and beyond.

The shop opened last winter and has since become a go-to for visiting and local families alike. General manager and buyer Madison Waller says that Enchanted Forest’s selection has something for everyone, including nostalgic toys, craft kits, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) activities, art supplies, puzzles, games and more. Waller carefully curates brands that run the gamut of both price point and interest, from well-known and specialty toy makers such as Playmobil, Magna-Tiles, Gund, Douglas and Miniland.

Waller says fidget and tactile toys are all the rage, and Enchanted Forest has a large selection from makers like Squishables, addictively squeezable plush toys that come in shapes like corn dogs, tacos and avocados. Gift and souvenir shopping is a breeze at Enchanted Forest, with an always-evolving selection of Lego kits, puzzle cubes from Shashibo, World’s Smallest miniature games, Speks magnets, slap-band digital watches and much more. Extra long-lasting, high-float helium balloons are available for parties and other events. Plus, candy.

“Customers appreciate that they can shop somewhere local, rather than ordering from Amazon or going to Target,” Waller says, adding that the store offers a loyalty program that gives enrolled customers 5 percent off their next pur-

chase. Loyalty points can accrue over time.

The inspiration for Enchanted Forest came from co-owners Soules and Kuzmich’s travels to other ski resorts for ski races with their respective families. “It really evolved out of us being very in touch with what our kids wanted to do at other ski areas — which was basically to go to a toy store after every race,” Kuzmich says.

With the closing of longtime local toy store Zia Sun last year, the timing was perfect for Enchanted Forest to take form. Soules purchased the space last summer, located across from the Ah Haa School for the Arts and adjacent to the Wilkinson Public Library, and by July the trio were elbows deep transforming the space into a kid-friendly paradise.

Waller also has children, and says her and the owners’ kids have quickly become the shop’s top product testers. She and Soules also make trips to buying shows, ensuring they stay on top of today’s toy trends.

Waller, Kuzmich and Soules envision Enchanted Forest as more than just a toy store and plan to offer community-minded events like crafting afternoons and group games this summer.

‘CUSTOMERS APPRECIATE THAT THEY CAN SHOP SOMEWHERE LOCAL.’

Madison

Waller

Melissa Plantz

Ryan Bonneau

Inspired by the best of what’s in season from local Western Slope farms, Black Iron Kitchen + Bar serves spirited takes on the hearty, rustic food you crave after a long day in nature at signature fire tables, perfect for sharing stories.

TIMBER ROOM

Named one of America's Best Outdoor Bars by Travel + Leisure, Timber Room is the perfect place to cap a thrilling day on the mountain with the best Après fare, handcrafted cocktails and atmosphere around.

H e a r t y M o u n t a i n C u i s i n e A t I t s M o d e r n B e s t

Growing up in Telluride, Jessica Solomon always knew she wanted to get married at San Sophia Overlook. In fact, she was so intent on it, she went ahead and secured the storied venue several months before her then-boyfriend even proposed. To her delight, it worked out magically when he got down on one knee shortly thereafter, at a quiet dinner attended by her family. “After we got engaged, we pretended to have a wedding location brainstorm,” admits Jess. “We pretended? You pretended,” jokes Bennett Winton, explaining that his fiancée then revealed that their Telluride wedding was already booked. “Honestly, I was so happy because it just proved how much she really wanted to marry me,” he says.

Jess and Bennett met during training for their first jobs out of college in 2016. After getting staffed on the same project, their professional bond grew and so did their personal friendship. The duo realized there was something more to their connection and took the plunge into long-distance dating before Bennett moved to San Francisco to join Jess in early 2018. During the pandemic, the couple spent plenty of time here in Jess’s hometown, allowing Bennett to fall in love with Telluride as well. Together, they dove into planning for their big day, rooted in the desire to create an unforgettable experience for their guests who’d be making the journey to the San Juan Mountains.

When September 2022 finally arrived, Meehan Fee of Telluride Unveiled ensured that the weekend went off without a hitch. Jess spent the morning getting ready (hair by Dallas Sainsbury and makeup by Emily Brafford) with her mother and friends, before meeting Bennett for their first look, where they exchanged letters to each other.

“All morning, I had this nervous energy,” Jess says. “And then I saw him, and all the little stressors melted away. I just knew I was marrying my person and we were about to tackle the rest of the day hand in hand.”

Personal touches gave the event an emotional gravitas. At the end of the aisle, a floral arch by Dahlia Floral Design framed the famed San Sophia view, where Jess’s 85-year-old grandfather stood to officiate the ceremony. His

moving speech on commitment served as a wise accompaniment to the couple’s original vows. By the time the groom, his sister and several of his college acapella group’s members joined to sing Billy Joel’s And So It Goes, the entire audience was in tears.

Transitioning over to Allred’s for the evening reception, there was a celebratory energy. And the individualized gestures kept flowing — each guest, for instance, was met with a handwritten note at their place setting. Toasts turned into humorous roasts. When Jess and Bennett weren’t enjoying the stream of nibbles (including the cake from Kelly Gray Cakes), they found themselves on the dance floor.

By the end of the weekend, reflects Jess, “My friends and Bennett’s family got to see the life I came from. It showed our community a deeper side of our relationship, in this special place where we’ve spent so much time together. It felt like a dream come true.”

A HOMETOWN WEDDING

BY LINNE HALPERN

‘IT FELT LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE.’

Jessica

Solomon

Lisa Marie Wright Photography

Tony Demin

EAT, STAY, LOVE

Every summer, Mountain Village transforms into a hive of activity and adventure. But Telluride’s high-altitude twin also has a luxe, sophisticated side, evidenced in part by its exceptional, award-winning hotels. Stay at one of these establishments and discover an exceptional dining scene that reflects its setting.

Take Lumière by Inspirato. This charming boutique hotel is known by its many fans for expertly balancing a careful, professional attention to detail with a warm and friendly welcome.

Talk to Ania Aniola, the award-winning chef who presides over Lumière’s restaurant, Ania’s Table, and it’s clear that she gets that same balance perfectly, offering a high-end, fine-dining experience combined with a highly personalized service in the intimate setting of her establishment’s 16-seat dining room.

For instance, patrons email Aniola by noon the day of their dinner reservation with their order, a clever touch that means she is quite literally cooking especially for each guest. Aniola agrees that it is a very personal service and adds, “It also allows us to be a zero-waste restaurant.”

Aniola’s husband and business partner, Kenny Koda, presides over front of house and the extraordinary 600-bottle wine collection. He notes that this personal touch extends to what patrons are drinking. “I talk to the guests about what they like so I am not only pairing the wine to the food, but also to what their tastes are.”

This approach also informs how Ania’s Table sources the ingredients for its inventive menus. “All of our proteins come from purveyors that we know and have worked with for years,” says Koda.

Of this summer’s menu, Aniola says diners at Ania’s Table can expect those carefully sourced proteins, as well as a keen focus on fresh, regional produce. “We love using local peaches, tomatoes, corns and greens. Summer is so much fun for us.”

Not far from Lumière, in the very center of Mountain Village, is the Madeline Hotel and Res-

idences. And while the hubbub of summer buzzes all around it, the Madeline is an elegant oasis — much like its restaurant, Black Iron Kitchen, and very-cool bar, the Timber Room.

“Black Iron Kitchen is a high-energy, sporty, but refined atmosphere, perfect for large groups and families,” says Bryan Woody, the Madeline’s general manager. “It also has six fire features at tables outdoors for the crisp mountain evenings.”

And the Timber Room?

Says Woody, “In a beautifully designed space, we have incredible signature cocktails and our ‘graze’ menu, which consists of small, sophisticated plates perfect for sharing. Those who elect to join us for dinner can expect shareable platters from our ‘feast’ menu.”

Woody credits executive chef Bill Greenwood for the exquisite menus that focus on refined mountain cuisine with an emphasis on local and sustainable. “Summer is an incredible time for opportunities to bring the regional farm-to-table concept alive,” he says. “We love our 20-ounce Rocky Mountain elk loin with wild huckleberry jus. And our San Luis Valley trout and 32-ounce bison tomahawk have become staples at Black Iron. My personal favorite at the Timber Room is our devilish eggs.”

The central location seems well-situated for hungry adventurers by day and those attending evening concerts and other events on the nearby plazas. Says Woody, “We are perfectly located for enjoying the Village scene.”

A short walk from those plazas is the Peaks Resort and Spa, a luxurious but lively property that offers iconic views from its position alongside the Telluride Golf Course. The Peaks’ restaurant is Altezza, which offers casual mountain dining and an extensive wine list. And, much like the Peaks itself, Altezza’s summer menu manages to be both elevated and fun, according to Emily Nolan, the Peaks’ food and beverage director. Highlights include a charcuterie board of regional and international meats and cheeses that is the stuff of local legend, inventive summer salads and main courses that make the most of regionally sourced

BY ERIN SPILLANE

In Mountain Village, exceptional hotel restaurants reflect their exceptional settings

proteins, in particular Colorado trout and beef.

Adds Nolan, “Our truffle fries are a favorite that will always be on the menu, and look for the return of our Burger-and-Beer specials in early June.”

And then there are those views.

Whether in Altezza’s airy dining room, which has floor-to-ceiling windows, or just outside on the terrace, the menu will vie for attention with panoramic 180-degree views that take in the towering San Sophias to the north and the Wilsons, a huddle of the 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks to the west. Says Nolan, “Imagine sipping a glass of wine, a craft cocktail or locally brewed beer and enjoying the best of Colorado cuisine while taking in those incredible views.”

And then there is Mountain Lodge, which also takes advantage of incredible vistas from its perch above Double Cabin ski run. Mountain Lodge enjoys a setting that is serene and stunning, but with a dash of fun that runs through the entire establishment, including the hotel’s restaurant, aptly named The View.

Here, executive chef Perse Vordokas, born in Miami to Greek parents, deftly combines the bold flavors of Latin America and the Mediterranean with regional ingredients. Says Vordokas, “My intention is to serve elevated food in a casual, fun manner — approachable dishes with a twist to surprise and delight the diner. The vibe of the dining room reflects the food: vibrant, fun and approachable.”

What can diners expect this summer? “Our summer menu will be light and bright, with a focus on fresh herbs and vegetables,” Vordokas says. “Staples like the roasted chicken with poblano feta sauce will remain, but you’ll find a new mouthwatering salmon dish sourced directly from Alaska through a local purveyor at Tomboy Butcher.”

In recent months, The View has become something of a community space thanks to its regular gatherings. “With longer sunny days ahead of us, look out for more daytime events by the pool, like a Cuban-style pig roast, a paella party and even an oyster bash,” Vordokas says. “When taking this role, my goal was to make The View a place where everyone feels welcome.”

‘WE LOVE USING LOCAL PEACHES, TOMATOES, CORNS AND GREENS. SUMMER IS SO MUCH FUN FOR US.’

Ania Aniola

Madeline Hotel &

INSPIRED BY THESE MOUNTAINS

Four homegrown entrepreneurs create successful local businesses

BY JESSE JAMES M c TIGUE

Do Telluride and its stunning surrounds inspire entrepreneurship? Take Ashley Story, Sheila Phinny Pekkala, Hallie Coulter Conlin and Macy Pryor, for instance —four women who grew up in Telluride, left the valley for different pastures, then returned to use their experiences, passion and intimate knowledge of the area to build successful businesses in their hometown.

ASHLEY STORY TELLURIDE SLEIGHS & WAGONS

Story is a multi-generation Tellurider. Her grandmother’s family were miners, and her grandfather was a sheep rancher from the Basque region of Spain who found his way to the San Juan Mountains and acquired 12 homesteads (roughly 5,000 acres of land) on a mesa west of Telluride for his sheep to graze. Over the years, most of the original land was sold for development, but the family still has 740 acres.

On a corner of this land, with the backdrop of the Sneffels Range and a front row seat to the Wilsons, sits a yurt and rustic hut with a small kitchen. This is Golden Ledge, the dinner site for Telluride Sleighs and Wagons. Story brings clients here via horse-drawn wagon or sleigh, depending on the season, all the while regaling

them with family lore. Then, with her team, she serves a gourmet dinner in the intimate yurt accompanied by the flickers of an outdoor fire, the setting sun and, later, the star- and moon-lit mountains.

Says Story, “When I travel, I want to interact with the locals and understand the place in an intimate way. I created an authentic way to experience Telluride. You get to feel like it’s your ranch for the night.”

MACY PRYOR CROSSBOW LEATHER & HATS

“It’s a blessing and curse to be raised in Telluride,” says Pryor, “because you want to leave, but you always have a desire to come back to the mountains.” It’s a conundrum that Pryor has experienced firsthand. After high school, she left Telluride to study art and sculpture, then landed in Santa Barbara where she began dabbling in leather work. Soon, according to Pryor, she

Photos Bash Jelen

Inset Tony Demin

found a profound satisfaction in producing quality, thoughtful leather products.

After the mountains drew Pryor home, she opened Crossbow Leather & Hats in 2018. It was a unique space with a workshop in the back and retail in the front. “It was sort of confusing at first, because people didn’t know if it was a workshop or a store,” Pryor says. “But they loved the concept of seeing the product and the artist.” Now ensconced at a new location at 101 W. Colorado Ave., but still with the same layout, Pryor adds, “Customers can spend four hours in the store and learn about production, manufacturing and design. They experience the craft and see the product as something two hands build.”

SHEILA PHINNY PEKKALA LUNCH MONEY

The Phinny family moved to Telluride in 1993 to run a company that manufactured boutique, handcrafted flyrods when Sheila was in fourth grade. She spent her formative years in Telluride, then attended Auburn University before moving to New York City then Los Angeles. While living a fast-paced life in the big city, Phinny Pekkala began to appreciate options for healthy to-go food. “Every time I came back to visit, I was dumbfounded

that didn’t exist here,” she says.

In 2016, Phinny Pekkala moved back to Telluride permanently and those thoughts of a takeout eatery that focused on healthy, clean options persisted. Five years later, Lunch Money opened. A hit from the outset, Lunch Money prepares fresh and healthy meals, sandwiches, salads, grains bowls and more, all from its location at 126 W. Colorado Ave. The kale Caesar salad, mushroom banh mi, southwest chicken wrap, niçoise salad and harvest bowl are fan favorites. Lunch Money also has a Thursday Supper Club where customers order and pick-up pre-set dinners.

“This is what I can do for Telluride,” says Phinny Pekkala. “It’s been my favorite place my whole life.”

HALLIE COULTER CONLIN OVER THE MOON

Drawn to the skiing, Coulter Conlin’s mother, Maura, moved from Massachusetts to Telluride with her husband

and kids in the early 1990s. He was an electrical contractor, she worked for the Telluride Ski Resort. Maura was also a keen foodie who kept a cheese diary and dreamed of owning a gourmet food shop. Coulter Conlin was childhood best friends with Sheila Phinny and, like her, left Telluride for college and young adulthood.

During a visit back home, Coulter Conlin recalls looking in vain for real parmesan cheese. She called her mom and told her she wanted to move back to Telluride to start a gourmet food shop. It got Maura thinking and this entrepreneurial mother and daughter opened their store, Over the Moon, in 2012.

It was an instant hit and to this day customers flock to Over the Moon for the specialty cheeses and meats — Ossau-Iraty, camembert, cured meats and more. Once inside the beautiful space located at 223 S. Pine St., they stay to browse the assorted gourmet pantry and freezer items, eclectic housewares and exquisite handcrafted jewelry and clothes. “We like shopping, and we like pretty things,” Coulter Conlin says.

Melissa Plantz

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE EVENTS

Live Music in Village Center

FRIDAYS-SUNDAYS

Memorial

Music on the Green

June 2-September 9 5-7 p.m.

REFLECTION PLAZA

Market on the Plaza

WEDNESDAYS

June 14 -September 13 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

HERITAGE PLAZA

Farmers

Movies Under the Stars

SATURDAYS

June 19-August 12

Sundown

REFLECTION PLAZA

Sunset Music Series

WEDNESDAYS

June 21-August 16

6 -8 p.m.

SUNSET PLAZA

PHOTO © MELISSA PLANTZ

HEIRLOOM APPLES … YUM

The West End, a close-knit rural community just over an hour’s drive from Telluride, is steeped in ranching and mining history. Some of that history can also be seen in the local heirloom apple trees whose lineages date to the early 1900s. The Apple Core Project was created to preserve this heritage and save rare apple genetics in Western Colorado by grafting and planting trees, mapping orchards and educating the public. “The overall goal is to propagate the genetics,” says Melanie Eggers, co-founder of the project. “We’re planting these trees and selling them to other people so we can preserve the genetics of the heirlooms.”

Some of the heirloom varieties in the region include Rhode Island Greening, Wolf River, Yellow Bellflower, Jonathan, Rome Beauty, Grimes Golden and Summer Banana. Eggers says Grimes Golden is her favorite and adds, “Once you taste some of our apples, they’re so multidimensional that all of the other apples at the store are so bland.” Eggers points out that an easy way to support the project is to buy its juice, which is available at Mountain Village Market and from Mesa Rose in Norwood, as well as by the glass or liter at The Butcher and The Baker and Bruno, both in Telluride. For those interested in trying the apples directly, the Apple Core Project will have its varieties on display at the Heritage Harvest Festival, held on Oct. 7 in Nucla, about 75 minutes’ drive west of Telluride. — Allison Bills

PINHEAD PARTNERS WITH MAKERUSA

MakerUSA and the Pinhead Institute have partnered to secure a $100,000 grant to fund a program manager who will operate “maker” programming regionally. The partnership will see Pinhead, the Telluridebased nonprofit that promotes STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programming for students in San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose, Dolores and Montezuma counties, join forces with MakerUSA, which advocates for maker education and ecosystems nationwide. The grant will cover the costs of a program manager, as well as an $8,000 sub-grant that will go directly to Pinhead, according to MakerUSA CEO and co-founder Colin Lacy. He adds that the aim is to ensure “that rural students will have consistent access to high-quality STEM and maker experiences to allow them the opportunity to explore skills and experiences that connect to local in-demand careers.”

GENEROUS $36K GRANT FOR TASP

Earlier this year, the Christopher Reeve Foundation awarded the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program a grant for a partnership program with the Tribal Adaptive Organization. The $36,140 grant will provide funding for six ski and handcycle camps for Native American athletes living with paralysis. “We are thrilled to welcome athletes from the Tribal Adaptive Organization for therapeutic recreation in Telluride and Mountain Village,” TASP Executive Director Courtney Stuecheli says. “The focus of the program is to offer multiple skiing and cycling opportunities so athletes living with paralysis can become independent skiers and hand cyclists, encouraging lifelong skills and a love of these sports.”

Aurelie Slegers

SEVEN GENERATIONS IN TELLURIDE

Deb Pera shares her love for this place through her family’s stories

BY EMILY SHOFF

Growing up as a fifth-generation Tellurider, Deb Pera knew there was no better place to call home. “As a young girl, I would look up at Ajax Mountain and the surrounding peaks and think I must be the luckiest girl to live here.”

Her father, Jack Pera, who spent the first few years of his life in the mining camp at the Tomboy Mine, and who passed only recently in 2020, was a huge part of that relationship to the outdoors and to Telluride, according to Deb. “We lived outside,” she says, recounting the hikes they did growing up. “My dad was essentially a professional photographer. He took that camera everywhere he went, capturing the beauty of the mountains and the wildlife that called it home.”

The Pera family’s connection to Telluride started when Deb’s great-great grandparents immigrated here from Finland. “They were miners, as were

their children,” she says recounting stories from their lives up in Tomboy. “They would listen to the radio; that was their big splurge. It was up high so would capture a lot of stations. Many nights that was their only entertainment.”

Living 2,000 feet above Telluride had its challenges. “My grandparents moved to Tomboy with my dad when he was only 2. In March, later that

year, my grandmother walked down from the mine to give birth to my aunt, returning three weeks later. It was the trip back up that was the hard part, traveling up through the snow, on snowshoes, with a baby on her back and a 2-year-old.”

Although previous generations had all been miners, Jack took a different path, opening up the local hardware store with Deb’s mother, Davine, in

This page, front row photos (L-R): Deb’s parents, Jack and Davine Pera, 2016; her great-grandparents, Carl and Adele Williams, at their home in Sawpit c. 1918; and great-grandparents Jacob and Mary Gustafson Pera, on their wedding day in 1905. Rear photo: Jacob and Mary with other members of the local Finnish community at Finn Hall on West Pacific Avenue, also 1905.

Front row and facing page photos, courtesy Pera family. Back row photo courtesy Telluride Historical Museum, all rights reserved.

Facing page: Deb with her son, Keith D’Angelo, and grandchildren Spring and Olen.

1969 and running it until 1981. Locals knew Jack as an invested community member. “He loved every aspect of his life here,” Deb explains, describing her dad’s involvement with the creation of the Imogene Pass Run, his passionate support for the Telluride High School sports teams and his weekly column at the local newspaper, where he commented on all aspects of town life from politics to the environment. “The outdoors remained his passion for his entire life. He wanted to protect Telluride’s open spaces for future generations,” she says, explaining the nonprofit he helped to found, Sheep Mountain Alliance, a local wilderness advocacy group formed in reaction to proposed logging on Sheep Mountain. “He just could not stand the thought of losing Sheep, his favorite mountain, which he could view from their cabin out at Trout Lake.”

“My parents’ legacy is felt everywhere here,” Deb says, detailing her mom’s involvement with a much-loved, long-running local charity, Angel Baskets.

Deb still remembers the delight she felt when the ski mountain opened. “I already loved skiing on Kid’s Hill, at Stoner [a former ski area south of Telluride] and up at Lizard Head. Having those first few lifts open up was a dream come true.” But skiing back then was not for the faint of heart. “Chair 5 was so long and so cold,” she says. “Then you had to take Chair 6 to get to the top, to See Forever. Then you had to take the bus all the way back to town. Everyone was so excited when they finally opened Coonskin and you could ski the front side” of the mountain, which fronts onto the town of Telluride.

Deb adds that she didn’t understand why locals initially feared the arrival of the ski resort and complained that Telluride was just going to “turn into Aspen.” “To me, as a teenager, this sounded like a good thing; town was very quiet,” she says, explaining that when she was in sixth grade, Telluride’s population was only 500 residents. “I thought we could use a little life here.”

As it was, the changes were slow to come. “For a long time, there was only one ski bus bringing guests up to town, mostly from Texas. You knew it when that one bus arrived. You could feel the difference on main street. There were new people in town.”

She left Telluride for several years to get an education and to raise her two kids. “We lived for a long time in Carbondale, which is another great small Colorado town. But I missed this place.

Telluride’s my home.”

The pandemic gave her an even deeper sense of connection to Telluride. “It gave me a lot of gratitude for this place,” Deb says, reflecting on the many things that make this town what it is: the people, the community, the natural world. “I’ve been trying to carve out more time in my life for gratitude since then. We have so many things to be thankful for.”

These days that’s especially the case for Deb. Her son lives here as do her grandchildren, making them the seventh generation of the Pera family to do so. “The other day, I went skiing with my granddaughter. We were riding up Chair 7 and I was sharing all these stories of how it used to be. It struck me that I was just like my grandmother, who lived until she was 105. This is how we come to love a place. Through its stories.”

THE PERA FAMILY’S CONNECTION TO TELLURIDE STARTED WHEN DEB’S GREATGREAT GRANDPARENTS IMMIGRATED HERE FROM FINLAND.

TELLURIDE ADVENTURE YOUR STARTS HERE.

Freeride, XC and Downhill bike rentals available.

HIKE

In-town hikes like the River Trail in Telluride and the Ridge Trail in Mountain Village give families lots of options for exploration. Remember to consult hike descriptions, check the weather forecast and be prepared with appropriate clothing, water and snacks.

BIKE

Grab a bike and recommendations from a local outfitter and soon you’ll be giggling louder than your kids. In Telluride, start with the River Trail and then head one of two ways: east to the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls, or west to the Valley Floor. In Mountain Village, a wealth of family-friendly trails or the Telluride Ski Resort’s bike park guarantee twowheeled fun.

SPLASH

These mountains are home to crystal-clear alpine lakes where families can add fishing, rafting or stand-up paddleboarding to their outdoor adventure mix. For more fun, kids can take their parents tubing on the San Miguel River or head to the fab swimming complex at Telluride Town Park.

AROUND

For families, summertime in Telluride means sun-drenched, fun-filled days spent exploring together

Box Canyon

Bingo

How many of these truly terrific experiences can you do this summer?

catch a fish in mountain village’s elk lake (and remember to release it)

Watch the sunrise and then grab a ride the red or white gondola car

find the penny bear sculpture

find your favorite tacos

borrow something unusual from the library

try the mining sluice at the telluride historical museum

dance to live music at a festival

order a pizza Buy a unique souvenir

pose for a main street photo

send a postcard to someone you love

take a 4x4 tour to a ghost

enjoy an ice cream in telluride and mountain village

Stop off at Station San Sophia and take in the views

experience the canopy adventure

ride an innertube on the san miguel

buy a telluride cap or hat

hit the bike park

try a local summer camp

hike or bike the valley floor and count (but don’t touch) the wildlife

Melissa Plantz

Brett Schreckengost

happy campers

ADVENTURES FOR ALL

Since 1981, Telluride Academy has been sharing its love for exploration and adventure with kids ages 5 to 17. Founded by a long-time local as an option for working parents, this Telluride institution has grown from humble backyard beginnings to a leader in outdoor and adventure programming for kids.

BE RAD

At the Drop Boardshop’s Telluride Skate Camp, experienced instructors not only teach young people how to skate in a safe, supportive and totally rad environment, they also emphasize patience, perseverance, focus and respect, qualities that come in handy in real life too.

HAVE AN AH HAA MOMENT

Telluride’s beloved arts education hub has now settled into its cool new digs at Pacific and Fir and is preparing for a summer of inspiring programming for youth and teens, including bookmaking, ceramics, jewelry making, painting, mixed media, nature exploration and more.

SCIENCE IS COOL

The Pinhead Institute makes science cool with exciting summer programming that brings STEM to life. Kids can learn about regional archaeology in Dig It, explore local flora and fauna in Nature Detectives or engineer some clean power in Energy Exploration.

Family Fun is Easy

BEST LIBRARY... ANYWHERE ... EVER - Looking for a kid-friendly spot where you can be in the mountains, but not on the mountain? Go no further than the Wilkinson Public Library. Our award-winning library embraces Telluride’s kids (and vice versa) with opportunities to play, explore and learn. The library offers a variety of activities for all ages, including story times, after-school programs, events for teens and more.

TOUR THROUGH TIME - The Telluride Historical Museum brings history to life through family-friendly exhibits and programs. Sitting at the top of North Fir Street, housed in Telluride’s original community hospital, the museum has 10 rooms of permanent collections each with its own theme and a large gallery with an annual exhibit. More than history under glass, the museum offers interactive displays like the popular mining sluice, outdoor mining exhibit and a scavenger hunt for kids. History buffs can enjoy historical and architectural tours.

ADVENTURE TIME - The Telluride Ski Resort’s Adventure Center offers an abundant selection of kids’ camps and summer experiences for adventurers of all ages. Run, don’t walk, to the Adventure Center, located in the ski resort’s ticket office in Mountain Village, adjacent to Heritage Plaza.

ROCK ON

Have a budding Joan Jett or Dave Grohl? If so, check out the Rock and Roll Academy’s Summer Rock Camp. Weeklong sessions guide students through the process of being in a band, from choosing music and instruments

Ah Haa School

Ryan Bonneau

Ryan Bonneau

WINTER 23.24

Some like the long days of summer, others prefer the deep days of winter. TellurideSkiResort.com

IN THE GOLD

Mountain Village is the perfect base for autumn

BY ELLEN METRICK

The greatest biodiversity is found in the liminal spaces where two ecosystems meet. Ecologists call this transition the ecotone. The same is true about time; the most diversity is found in the changing of the seasons. This is especially true in Mountain Village during gold season. Here, trees don their seasonal celebration of golds, oranges and reds, and the hamlet downshifts just a bit. There’s still plenty happening in Telluride’s high-alpine twin, though, including many low-impact, memorable ways to enjoy autumn.

FEET

Finding the diversity in the outdoors this time of year is fun to do on foot. There are still flowers blooming by the trails, mushrooms add muted and sometimes bright colors, berries and rose hips are plump and the aspens aglow, while the trails are a little quieter. Beginner, intermediate and expert trails accessible from Mountain Village range from a half-mile to 10 miles. Practicing Leave No Trace trail ethics helps keep the area enjoyable for all. Afterwards, put tired feet up at the fire ring in Heritage Plaza and enjoy a warming drink while people watching. Also in Heritage Plaza, the Market on the Plaza offers an abundance of harvest color and flavor, local artists, music and food vendors every Wednesday through mid-September.

WHEELS

Renting a jeep or getting on a bike to explore the trails are wheeled ways to access stunning views and more remote locations. Outfitters, guides and rentals are available in the area for both bike and jeep. The Telluride Bike Park, a lift-served system of trails on the Telluride Ski Resort, is expected to remain open daily through Sept. 17, and on weekends from Sept. 23 to Oct. 28. The park connects to a wider network of Mountain Village trails to make two-wheeled leaf peeping a fun cinch. And, the Autumn Classic, formerly the Cars and Colors Festival, parks itself in Mountain Village, as well as elsewhere, Sept. 22-24 to showcase high-end restorations and vintage and exotic vehicles of the Concours level.

TREES & SKY

Of course, this time of year the trees are the focus, with the last two weeks of September and the first week of October typically marking the peak of autumnal color in the San Juans. One easy way to leaf peep is to ride the Gondola between Telluride and Mountain Village, which is open through Oct. 15. Looking just past the trees, the stunning San Juan sky holds as much gold at night as the trees do in the day. Find a dark area, like San Sophia Overlook, beside San Sophia mid-station on the Gondola, to take it all in. This year, there’s a lot happening in the skies. The full harvest moon this Sept. 29 will be the fourth, and final, supermoon of 2023, and viewing moonrise from San Sophia Overlook is a not-to-miss experience. From Oct. 6-10, the Draconid meteor shower is best seen in the early evenings. The Orionid meteor showers are on Oct. 21 and 22, and a lunar eclipse closes out the month, rivalling the riot of colors that stripe the slopes in providing a stunning visual show this autumn in Mountain Village.

For more on Mountain Village activities and events, visit telluride.com/mountainvillage.

Ryan Bonneau

A PERFECT WINTER DAY

with photographer Ryan Bonneau

Achildhood spent in rural Vermont gave Ryan Bonneau a love for wild places, a love that intensified when he found Telluride 23 years ago. Here, amid the magnificent beauty of the San Juan Mountains, this gifted photographer was able to give free rein to his talent for capturing the stunning landscapes that surround us. Look for Bonneau’s work in his most recent book, Telluride Unveiled, in the Telluride calendar (which is available at telluride.com and Between the Covers bookstore) and on the pages of this magazine. Here, Bonneau talks all things winter in Telluride and Mountain Village.

What does a perfect winter day look like to you?

Waking up to a fresh dumping of snow with clearing skies. I head out pre-sunrise with my pup to shoot scenics around the area as this sun lights up the evaporating clouds. I play with Izzy for a bit as she loves the fresh snow and reverts back to her puppy days raging in it. I head back home

and get out to the lifts first thing with my camera. Shooting a bluebird powder day is one of my favorite things and I thoroughly enjoy capturing face shots and the buzz of ski bums on a powder day. After I get my shots, I get my skiing in and maybe some hike-to’s. I meet my wife at Oak for lunch. In the afternoon, we take our time skiing around the mountain enjoying the day together. Later, an evening hike with the dogs on the Wiebe gives me the opportunity to shoot the town glowing at dusk cloaked in deep snow. Cooking a big dinner that’s well deserved, and finishing with a movie feeling drained and happy caps the perfect day for me.

As a professional photographer, if it’s a powder day do you ditch the camera and head out to enjoy the snow, or does the desire to catch those great powder shots win out? The ultimate conundrum. It really depends on the day. If it’s a bluebird, post-storm day, I always shoot it. It’s very difficult to give up the really

good skiing for myself, but I love shooting skiing on a deep day with killer light. As long as I get some good shots, I’m happy. If it’s a stormy powder day, I’m much more likely to get my skiing in.

You published a collection of your photos of regional landscapes in Telluride Unveiled. They were visually stunning, but also conveyed a deep affection for our natural environment. Was that the intention?

That was my exact intention with Telluride Unveiled. When putting together the book I focused on images that were deeply personal to me, not just casual snapshots. When I look back at my favorite images, the ones that I connect with the most are the ones that I put the most effort into, whether that’s physical effort or some creativity that takes a real commitment and often a lot of time. I hope that those images convey that connection and love for the natural environment.

— with Erin Spillane

Ryan Bonneau

EVENTS CALENDAR

MAY

May 25 Gondola opens for summer season (p. 17 and 82)

May 25-29 Mountainfilm

JUNE

June 1-4 Food and Vine Festival

June 2-4 Balloon Festival

June 3 Huck Finn & Becky Thatcher Day Town Park

June 3 Met Opera: Die Zauberflöte (Mozart) Palm Theatre

June 4-10 Wild West Fest SOH (p. 28)

June 8 Festival Capital of the Rockies: Exhibit Opening Reception 50 Years of Festivals in Telluride, Historical Museum (p. 23)

June 8 Big Head Todd & the Monsters SOH

June 9 Six One Five Collective Musical mix, SOH

June 10 Telluride Gravel Bike Race

June 14 FirstGrass Concert Sunset Plaza, Mountain Village (p. 51)

June 15-18 Bluegrass Festival (p. 20)

June 22-25 Yoga Festival

June 23 An Evening with KT Tunstall SOH

June 23-25 Telluride Arts Summer Arts Bazaar

June 24-July 2 MusicFest with Telluride Chamber Music

June 25 MusicFest’s Summer Frolic Music & Pilobolus dancers, Palm

June 28-July 4 Plein Air

JULY

July 1 Telluride Theatre Gala (p. 49)

July 1 Alpine Cookout Reflection Plaza, Mountain Village

July 1 Toad the Wet Sprocket Concert SOH

July 3 Telluride Arts Community Party

July 3-4 Red, White & Blues Celebration Mountain Village Center (p. 51)

July 4 Fourth of July Celebrations; Rundola Race; Traditional Root Beer Floats Historical Museum

July 8 Telluride 100 Mountain Bike Race

July 8 Meander into History: San Miguel City Historical Museum

July 8 North Mississippi Allstars Club Red, Mountain Village

July 10-16 Art + Architecture

July 13-16

Americana Music Festival SOH

July 14 Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run

July 14-16 Ah Haa HAHA Annual Benefit Ah Haa School for the Arts

July 15 Pinhead Institute’s Science of Cocktails

July 17-23

July 20

July 21

Baseball Festival Telluride Town Park

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Club Red, Mountain Village

Oliver Twist the Musical Young People’s Theater, SOH

July 21 David Sedaris Witty humorist performance, Palm Theatre

July 21-29

July 22

July 27

July 28

July 29

July 29-30

Shakespeare in the Park Town Park (except 7/27) (p. 49)

Box Canyon Trail Races

Telluride Mountain Club Summer Barbecue Town Park

Telluride Chamber Music’s 50th Birthday Celebration

New York Philharmonic Brass Quintet, Historical Museum

Telluride Chamber Music Presentations

New York Philharmonic Education Workshop, Wilkinson Library New York Philharmonic Concert, SOH

San Miguel Basin Fair & Rodeo Norwood Fairgrounds (p. 45)

Art Walk

Art Walk

Gondola Opens

EVENTS CALENDAR

AUGUST

August 1

ShinyRibs Club Red, Mountain Village

August 3 A Night of Magic with Paul Distefano SOH

August 4 KOTO Duck Race San Miguel River and River Trail

August 5 Andy Frasco & the U.N. Blues and rock, SOH

August 10

August 11-13

August 12

August 16-23

August 17-19

August 26

August 26

Top Chef & Taste of Telluride

One to One Mentoring Benefit, Peaks Resort and Spa

Jazz Festival

Senior Mahoney Day Historical Museum, free admission

Mushroom Festival

Telluride Reserve

Telluride Mountain Run

Telluride Arts Benefit Dinner

Aug. 31-Sept. 4 Film Festival (p. 20)

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 8 Quatuor Girard Concert French string quartet

Telluride Chamber Music presentation, SOH

Sept. 9 Imogene Pass Run

Sept. 10-16

Sept. 15-17

Black Bear Awareness Week

Blues & Brews

Sept. 18 Creede Repertory Theatre Palm Theatre

Sept. 21-24

Sept. 23

Sept. 23

Sept. 26

Autumn Classic

Mountains to Desert Bike Ride

Classical Ballet Colorado West Performing Arts, Palm Theatre

Pinhead Institute’s Pintern Presentations SOH

Sept. 30 Deep Creek Half Marathon

OCTOBER

October 5-6

October 5-8

Telluride Dance Collective’s Mass Movement Palm Theatre

Original Thinkers

Ocober 7 Hanging Flume Trail Race

October 7 Telluride Arts Rocktoberfest

October 13-15 Horror Show

October 15

October 19-22

Gondola Closes (p. 17 and 82)

Not-So-Young People’s Theater SOH

October 28 KOTO Halloween Bash

October 31 Halloween on the Hill Historical Museum

Ongoing Events in Mountain Village

Market on the Plaza Farmers Market Wednesdays, 6/14-9/1, Heritage Plaza

Movies Under the Stars Saturdays, 6/17-8/12, Reflection Plaza

Music in the Plaza Fridays-Sundays, 5/26-9/17, Heritage & Sunset Plazas (p. 51)

Music on the Green Fridays, 6/2-9/8, Reflection Plaza (p. 51)

Sunset Music Series Wednesdays, 6/21-8/16, Sunset Plaza (p. 51)

Telluride Historical Museum’s Fireside Chats 9/20, 9/27, 10/4, Madeline

Ongoing Events in Telluride

Art Walk

First Thursday of the month, June-October

Farmers’ Market Fridays, 6/2-10/13, South Oak Street

Museum’s Historical Walking Tours Tues. & Thurs. 6/1-10/12

Museum’s Lone Tree Cemetery Tour Fridays, 9/8-10/27, meet at cemetary

H Summer Festival for more details on festivals see pages 20-31

SOH = Sheridan Opera House

Gondola Closes

HISTORIC WALKING TOUR

The Telluride area boasts a rich history. In the 1700s, the Ute Indians used the San Juan Mountains and the San Miguel River banks as summer camps. Explorers and survey parties passed through the area in the 1700s and 1800s, but it was mining that brought the first European settlers in 1876 when the Sheridan Mine registered its operation in the Marshall Basin above Telluride. In just 20 years, the town grew from a hodgepodge of cabins and shacks to rows of elegant Victorians and stately brick buildings, many of which exist today.

Telluride was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1961 and the Town later established the Historic and Architectural Review Commission to further protect its character and authenticity. The Historic Walking Tour is a self-guided walk through Telluride’s storied past.

The courthouse was originally built on the south side of West Colorado Avenue in 1886 but burned shortly after construction. The bricks were saved to build the present courthouse less than a year later on the opposite corner (Colorado Ave. and Oak St.). Recently renovated, it is still in use today.

5 | St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Reverend J.J. Gibbons, pastor of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, made his first trip to Telluride from Ouray for a baptism, traveling by horseback over the mountain passes. In 1896, he helped build St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Telluride on Catholic Hill for $4,800. By 1899, the church had 200 parishioners. The wooden figures of the Stations of the Cross were carved in the Tyrol area of Austria.

6 | Old Waggoner House

Charles Delos Waggoner, president of the Bank of Telluride (the yellow brick building on main street), contrived a scheme purportedly to save his bank in the Wall Street Crash of 1929. Waggoner siphoned money from New York banks to keep his clients from losing their life savings once the Bank of Telluride could no longer pay its creditors. Waggoner, who was sentenced to 15 years and served six, testified in court, “I would rather see the New York banks lose money than the people of Telluride, most of whom have worked all their lives for the savings that were deposited in my bank.”

7 | Town Hall

The building was constructed on Fir Street and Columbia Avenue in 1883 as Telluride’s first schoolhouse. The one-room structure held one teacher and 53 students and was built for $3,000. After a new school was built, the town offices occupied the building.

Built in 1891, Telluride’s first hotel was destroyed by fire in 1894 and rebuilt in brick in 1895. At the same time, the Sheridan Bar was built, and it is now one of the oldest bars in the West. The bar has remained unchanged since 1895, boasting its original lead glass divider panels, mahogany wood paneling and filigree light fixtures. Patrons are served beverages on the original hand-carved cherry wood bar that was imported from Austria. The New Sheridan was recently accepted as a member of the National Trust for Historic Hotels of America. In 1913, the opera house was added and named the Segerberg Opera House, after builders J.A. and Arvid Segerberg. The building was eventually named the Sheridan Opera House after its neighboring bar and hotel.

One of the oldest structures on Colorado Avenue, this building was home to the Pekkarine family. Mr. Pekkarine emigrated to the US from Finland in the late 1800s and opened a boot shop in the basement. On the second floor, he later operated a mercantile store. The Pekkarines lived on the third floor. At the settling of the Pekkarine estate in 1974, valuable artifacts were donated to the Telluride Historical Museum.

The Roma Building was home to one of the town’s oldest and most raucous bars. The downstairs still contains the original 1860 Brunswich-Balke-Collender Company bar, which is carved from walnut with 12foot French mirrors. The building was most recently renovated in 2016.

8 | Telluride Historical Museum

Built in 1896 and named Hall’s Hospital after its first doctor, the building served as the community hospital treating miners and townspeople until it closed in 1964 due to a decline in the population. It reopened in 1966 as the Telluride Historical Museum and was renovated in 2002. Ten rooms and outdoor exhibitions showcase Telluride’s unique and vibrant history with a vast collection of photographs, artefacts and exhibitions

9 | North Oak House

Built in 1900, this house was a survivor of the 1914 flood that careened down Cornet Creek, sweeping through town and depositing mud and debris from the Liberty Bell Mine down to Colorado Avenue. One woman was killed and the Sheridan Bar was filled with mud halfway to the ceiling. This house has been completely restored to its original condition and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Homes.

10 | Davis House

Entrepreneur E.L. Davis who built this stately brick house in 1894, held an early interest in the Bullion Lode, as well as numerous mining claims in the area. He owned all the land where the former Rio Grande Southern Train Depot now stands, as well as one-third interest in West Telluride. After Davis’s death, the house was sold to Dr. Oshner, who used it as a hospital, particularly during the 1918 flu epidemic.

1 | San Miguel County Courthouse

2 | New Sheridan Hotel & Opera House

3 | The Pekkarine Building

4 | Roma Bar Building

More Historic Sites & Buildings

A | Lone Tree Cemetery

The cemetery is located on the east end of town on Colorado Avenue and offers a glimpse into Telluride’s history and the perils of its residents during the mining-boom era when avalanches, murders, flu epidemics, mining accidents and labor strikes took many lives.

B | Telluride Elementary School

At the time of its construction in 1895, the building was considered to be the most modern of educational facilities. It was completely renovated in 1986, and an addition was built in 2000.

C | Galloping Goose

This curious hybrid of auto and train rode Otto Mears’ famous railroad line in the declining years of the Rio Grande Southern. On rails, the Galloping Goose made its last run in 1953. It is now the moniker of Telluride’s public buses.

D | Miner’s Union

Built by the Western Federation of Miners in 1901 as a result of a period of labor strikes and protests when unionized miners were denied health care at the local hospital.

E | Butch Cassidy Robbery Site

By most accounts, Butch Cassidy was a minor player in his first bank robbery of San Miguel Valley Bank in 1889. The old bank burned and was replaced by the Mahr Building in 1892.

F | Pick & Gad

Located in what was once Telluride’s red-light district, patrons were treated to music, food, wine and ladies in this brick “parlor house” if they wore a coat and tie.

G | Old Town Jail

This stone jail is thought to have been built in 1885 and is now occupied by the Telluride Marshal’s Department. The town’s first calaboose, a wooden structure, was built in 1878 and is now located in Telluride Town Park’s campgrounds.

H | Penn Tram Towers

At the turn of the century, the east end of the canyon was laced with the cables of aerial trams that lowered ore from the mines to mills in the valley below. These towers were part of the Penn Tram which conveyed ore from mines high above Telluride to the mills beyond Pandora.

I | Idarado Legacy Trail

Plaques along this interpretive walk recount the mining legacy of Telluride’s east end. The trail ends at the Pandora Mill site with a stunning view of Bridal Veil Falls.

11 | L.L. Nunn House

On the corner of Aspen and West Columbia, this white Victorian was bought by L.L. Nunn who financed the world’s first commercial A/C power plant, the Ames Hydroelectric Generating Plant. Nunn purchased the home for his Telluride Institute, where “pinheads” from Cornell University came to expand their knowledge of the production of power. Today, Cornell University has a “Telluride House” funded by Nunn’s estate. Next door, on the corner of Aspen Street and West Columbia, is the house in which Nunn lived.

12 | Rio Grande Southern Railway Depot

Prior to the arrival of the railroad in 1891, oxen and mule trains, as well as horses, carried all supplies and ore into and out of the area. The introduction of the railroad created a bustling, noisy area surrounded by boardinghouses and warehouses. Ore was hauled out of the surrounding mines and became a major revenue generator for the Rio Grande Southern Railroad.

13 | Finn Town

This area was the center of social life for Scandinavian immigrants. On the south side of Pacific Street, Finn Town Flats (originally a boardinghouse), Finn Hall and the smaller Swede-Finn Hall (pictured, and now the Elks Lodge on the corner of Pacific and Townsend) hosted many social gatherings. Continuing east, detour briefly up South Oak Street to the Dahl House, a miner’s rooming house built in the 1890s.

14 | Popcorn Alley

The Senate, Silver Bell, Cribs and madam’s stone residences make up the restored buildings of Pacific Street’s “sporting district.” The Senate was one of the many places bustling with business between the 1880s and 1930s. The Silver Bell, built in 1890, suffered a disastrous fire in 1923. It operated as one of Telluride’s many “soda parlors” during Prohibition, and its numerous entrances hint at the other services offered there. The three small Victorian houses standing in a row on Pacific Street, known as the Cribs, are all that remain of the “female boarding houses” that lined both sides of West Pacific Street.

TRANSPORTATION

TOWN OF TELLURIDE PARKING & FREE BUS SERVICE

PARKING

In historic downtown Telluride, solar-powered parking meters are mid-block on main and side streets.

$1/hr – max 3 hours. Meters accept cards or coins.

• Meters are enforced 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday (yellow)

• Parking is free on Sundays and holidays

• Select side streets allow free 2-hour parking (green)

TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE PARKING & FREE BUS SERVICE

Mtn. Village Center Station

PARKING

Mountain Village Station

GALLOPING GOOSE BUS LOOP

• Loop runs every 15 minutes, 7am to 10pm

• Designated stops every few blocks

• Bus will drop off/pick up from any corner on the route.

• Detailed schedules posted at bus stops telluride-co.gov/255/Bus-Schedule

Market Plaza Station

A > $2 per hour; free after 6pm; no parking 2–6:30am.

D > Free 30-minute; no time limit after 6pm; no parking 2–6:30am.

E > Free 1-hour parking; no parking 2-6:30 am.

F > Free daytime parking 6:30am–2am; $25 overnight 2–6:30am, valid for 24 hours

G > $2 per hour; $35 max for each 24-hour period

Meadows Parking, end of Adams Ranch Road; Free daytime parking 8am–8pm; No overnight parking without a permit; no RVs, commercial vehicles or trailers

MTN. VILLAGE BUS LOOP

Free service daily, for more info townofmountainvillage.com/bus

DIAL-A-RIDE

Free taxi for homeowners 970.728.8888

Telluride & Mountain Village are linked by a spectacular 13-minute ride.

The Gondola is ADA, ski, snowboard, bicycle, stroller and pet accessible.

• May 25 - October 15, 2023

• Hours are 6:30 am to midnight*

The Gondola has four stations:

• TELLURIDE STATION

Oak Street in the town of Telluride

• SAN SOPHIA STATION

Mid-mountain stop providing access to the resort’s trails and Allred’s

• MOUNTAIN VILLAGE STATION

Mountain Village Center

• MARKET PLAZA STATION

Gondola Parking Garage

For more Gondola info, see page 17.

*Schedule is subject to change.

For the most current information see > townofmountainvillage.com/gondola

All meters are payable by Parkmobile app, debit /credit card only; no cash.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Fly Denver Air from Phoenix and Denver to Telluride (TEX)

ADV ENTU RE GUIDES

Adventure Tour Productions

Tandem paragliding, photo/video tours

970.729.0078

Baker Ranch Horseback Adventures

970.325.3006

Bootdoctors

Winter — fat tire biking, fly fishing, Nordic ski clinics

Summer — hiking, mountain biking, paddleboarding, rafting

800.592.6883

Circle K Ranch Horseback Riding

970.562.3826

Dave’s Mountain Tours summer only

Historic off-road 4x4 adventures

970.728.9749

Diff Auto Rental

Jeep and car rentals

970.519.8004

Durango River Trippers & Adventure Tours

Kayaking, paddleboarding, river rafting

970.259.0289

High Camp Hut

Overnight adventure hut for hiking, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing

970.708.3786

Mountain Trip

Adventure guides for peak ascents, rock climbing, Via Ferrata, backcountry skiing, ice climbing

970.369.1153

Opus Hut

Backcountry hut

970.708.0092

Reset Telluride

Ultra-luxury wellness and trekking retreat

970.239.6090

RIGS, Adventure Co.

Flyfishing, water sports

970.708.0092

Roudy’s Horseback Adventures

Horseback riding, winter sleigh rides

970.728.9611

San Juan Huts

Backcountry hut system

970.626.3033

San Juan Outdoor Adventures/

Telluride Adventures

Winter — avalanche education, backcountry skiing, fat tire biking, ice climbing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing

Summer — hiking, hut trips, mountain biking, peak ascents, rock climbing, Via Ferrata

970.728.4101

Telluride Academy summer only

Summer camps for youth ages 5-18

970.728.5311

Telluride Adaptive Sports Program

Winter and summer activities for all ages and disabilities

970.728.5010

Telluride Adventure Center

Winter — fat tire biking, flyfishing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling

Summer — 4x4 tours, flyfishing, mountain biking, paddleboarding, rafting, kids camps

970.728.7433

ACTIVITIES

ADVENTURE GUIDES

Telluride Avalanche School

Avalanche education

970.728.4101

Telluride Guided Mountain Biking

970.708.7848

Telluride Helitrax

Helicopter skiing

877.500.8377 or 970.728.8377

Telluride Moto

Adventure motorcycle tours, rentals & school

230 Front Street, Placerville

970.729.1635

Telluride Mountain Guides

Winter — backcountry skiing, huts, cabins, ice climbing

Summer — climbing 14ers, hiking, rock climbing, Via Ferrata

970.708.0260 or 970.390.6278

Telluride Nordic Center

Nordic skiing - classic and skate

XC ski, ice skates, snowshoe, sled rentals

970-728-1144

Telluride Offroad Adventures summer only

Off-road / 4x4 adventures

970.708.5190

Telluride Outfitters

Winter — snowmobiling

Summer — fly fishing, RZR tours, rafting Market Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.4475

Telluride Outside/Telluride Angler

Winter — fly fishing, snowmobile tours

Summer — 4-wheel drive tours, fly fishing, rafting, standup paddleboarding

970.728.3895

Telluride Paragliding

Tandem paragliding flights

970.708.4247

Telluride Snowkite

Snowkite instruction

541.490.4401

Telluride Sports

Various summer and winter activities

970.728.4477 ext 211

Telluride Wranglers Horseback Riding

970.759.3183

Wild Hare Tours

Winter — backcountry snowshoe tours

Summer — hiking tours

970.708.1374

CLASSSES & WORKSHOPS

Ah Haa School for the Arts

Creative classes, camps and workshops

970.728.3886

Pinhead Institute

Science-based educational experiences

300 South Mahoney, Telluride

970.369.5190

Telluride Rock and Roll Academy

Lawson Hill, Telluride

970.708.1140

Wilkinson Public Library

100 West Pacific, Telluride

970.728.4519

CHILD CARE

Annie’s Nannies of Telluride

970.728.2991

Telluride Sitters, LLC

PO Box 2647, Telluride

970.708.0170

Traveling Lite, LLC

970.318.6543

CHURCHES

Alpine Chapel

122 South Aspen Street Telluride

970.728.3504

Christ Presbyterian Church

434 West Columbia Avenue, Telluride

970.728.4536

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

301 North Spruce Street, Telluride

970.728.3387

Telluride Christian Fellowship

100 East Columbia Avenue, Telluride

970.728.4864

COMMUNITY

Telluride Historical Museum

201 West Gregory, Telluride

970.728.3344

Telluride Town Park & Recreation

970.728.2173

Wilkinson Public Library

100 West Pacific, Telluride

970.728.4519

ENTERTAINMENT

Club Red / Conference Center

580 Mtn Village Blvd, Mountain Village

970.729.2279

Michael D. Palm Theatre

721 West Colorado, Telluride

970.369.5669

New Sheridan Bar

231 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.4351

Nugget Theatre

207 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3030

O’Bannon’s Irish Pub at

Fly Me to the Moon Saloon

136 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6139

Ride Lounge

135 East Colorado, Telluride

970.729.8912

Sheridan Opera House

110 North Oak, Telluride

970.728.6363

The Liberty

121 South Fir, Telluride

970.728.2942

EVENT PLANNERS

By Sutton 970.209.3593

Polished Fun 970.596.1974

Simplify 970.708.8260

Soirée Telluride 970.708.0297

Telluride Presents 970.708.0870

Telluride Unveiled 914.830.2238

FITNESS

Fuel Telluride

205 East Colorado, Telluride

970.708.1590

Kaiut Yoga Telluride

238 E. Colorado, 2nd Floor, Telluride

970.729.2354

Madeline Studio

Madeline Hotel & Residences

Mountain Village

970.369.8961

Mangala Yoga

333 West Colorado, Telluride

970.239.6169

Pilates Balance

168B Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.729.0678

Practice Telluride

317 East Colorado, Telluride

970.316.3097

Sequence Pilates and Core Align

700 West Colorado, Telluride

970.708.0717

Studio Telluride Authentic Pilates

135 South Spruce, Telluride

970.729.2336

Telluride Crossfit

137 Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.519.1441

Telluride Gymnastics

137 Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.728.4622

Telluride Yoga Center

395 East Colorado, Telluride

970.729.1673

The Peaks Resort & Spa

136 Country Club Drive, Mountain Village

970.728.6800

TOURS

Historical Tours of Telluride

970.728.6639

Telluride Historical Museum

201 West Gregory, Telluride

970.728.3344

Telluride Sleighs and Wagons

Sleigh & wagon rides, stories & dinner

970.260.2524

Telluride’s Most Luxurious Boutique Residences

Rug ged natural beauty meets luxur y accommodations at the a winning Lumière with Inspirato, a boutique hotel nestled at the base of Lift 4 in Mountain Villag e. Hike through wildflower-filled meadows, mountain bike on challenging trails, or soak in natu hot springs before unwinding in our cozy loung e. Our 18 recently remodeled hotel residences make the perfect home base, with ample space, high-end chef ’s kitchens and dramatic mountain views.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

HOTELS AND CONDOS

NEWSHERIDAN.COM

THE NEW SHERIDAN HOTEL has shared in the rich history of Telluride, Colorado since 1895. Offering modern amenities paired with historic ambiance, the New Sheridan invites you to experience a new level of old world service.

The New Sheridan Hotel has served as Telluride’s social center since 1895. Located just two blocks from the gondola, the hotel’s location in the heart of downtown Telluride provides an ideal base for visitors. During an expansive renovation completed recently, the hotel’s 26 guest rooms received a luxurious transformation under the guidance of internationally renowned designer Nina Campbell. Each individually designed room captures the historic charm of Telluride in an atmosphere of warmth and comfort.

On-site dining options include the renowned Chop House Restaurant & Wine Bar, The Rooftop Bar, The Parlor and the historic New Sheridan Bar, which was ranked among the world’s top 10 après ski bars by Forbes Traveler.

The New Sheridan Hotel was also recognized by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler as one of the Top 5 “Best Places to Ski & Stay in North America” and was awarded the “2023 AAA Four Diamond Hotel” rating. The New Sheridan is proud to be on the Register of National Historic Places.

ADDRESS 231 West Colorado Ave., Telluride

TELEPHONE 800.200.1891 or 970.728.4351

WEB www.newsheridan.com

TOWN OF TELLURIDE

TOWN OF MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

RUSTIC MOUNTAIN RETREATS

GIFTS

Bella Fine Goods

213 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.2880

Crossbow Leather & Hats

101 West Colorado, Telluride

970.729.9210

Hook

226 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.1087

Medicine Ranch

615 West Pacific, Telluride

970.728.6084

Mountain Peak Gifts

226 West Colorado, Telluride

970.538.7077

Mountain Pick Gifts

217 West Colorado, Telluride

Paradise Resort Wear

218 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.8786

Shirtworks of Telluride

126 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6242

Telluride Room

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.7357

Telluride Resort Store

Gondola Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.7358

Telluride Truffle Artisan Chocolate

171 South Pine, Telluride

970.728.9565

JEWELRY

Bella Fine Goods

213 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.2880

Crossbow Leather & Hats

101 West Colorado, Telluride

970.729.9210

Elinoff & Co.

204 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.5566

Lustre, an Artisan Gallery

By appointment

970.728.3355

Medicine Ranch

615 West Pacific, Telluride

970.728.6084

Mixx

307 East Colorado, Telluride

970.797.4040

Scarpe

250 East Pacific, Telluride

970.728.1513

Slate Gray Gallery

130 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3777

Sunglasses HQ & Optical

201 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.9119

Telluride Room

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.7357

MUSIC

Telluride Music Co.

333 West Colorado #2, Telluride

970.728.9592

CLOTHING

Alt Vibes Relaxation Lounge

307 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.9515

Cashmere Red

221 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.8088

Crossbow Leather & Hats

101 West Colorado, Telluride

970.729.9210

Denimaxx

217 West Colorado, Telluride

435.731.9666

Down To Earth

236 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.9316

Fuel Telluride

205 East Colorado, Telluride

970.708.1590

FP Movement

Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village

267.541.8750

Heritage Apparel

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.7340

Lucchese Bootmaker

Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village

970.538.7531

Overland Sheepskin & Leather

100 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.9700

Paradise Resort Wear

218 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.8786

Patagonia

200 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.4303

Scarpe

250 East Pacific, Telluride

970.728.1513

Shirtworks of Telluride

126 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6242

Society

126 East Colorado, Telluride

970.708.4067

CLOTHING

Sublime

126 West Colorado #102A, Telluride

970.728.7974

Telluride Toggery

109 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3338

The North Face

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.369.0332

Two Skirts

127 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6828

Western Rise

100 West Colorado Unit E, Telluride

855.981.7473

ART GALLERIES

HOME DECOR

Elinoff & Co. Gallerists & Jewelers

204 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.5566

Gold Mountain Gallery

135 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3460

Lustre, an Artisan Gallery

By appointment

970.728.3355

Mixx

307 East Colorado, Telluride

970.797.4040

Red Dirt

201 West Colorado, Telluride

901.857.5828

Rinkevich Gallery

Centrum Bldg., 618 Mountain Village Blvd

Mountain Village Center

415.516.2055

Schilling Studio Gallery

542 West Galena Avenue, Telluride

artify@schillingstudio.com

Slate Gray Gallery

130 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3777

Tellurado Studio

219 East Colorado, Telluride

970.239.6440

Telluride Arts Headquarters & Gallery

220 West Colorado, Telluride

224 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3930

Tony Newlin Gallery

100 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.8084

Woof! Gallery

134 East Colorado, Telluride

970.708.0135

Azadi Rugs

213 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.4620

Bella Fine Goods

213 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.2880

Hook

226 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.1087

Mixx

307 East Colorado, Telluride

970.797.4040

Sage House Designs

150 East Pacific, Telluride

970.708.4044

Slate Gray Gallery

130 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3777

The Gordon Collection Fine Navajo Weaving

220 East Colorado #1, Telluride

970.728.1443

Tweed Interiors

151 South Pine, Telluride

970.728.8186

T.Karn Imports

394 West Colorado, Telluride

970.708.4350

TOYS

Enchanted Forest Toy Shoppe

150 West Pacific, Telluride

970.239.6112

Scarpe

250 East Pacific, Telluride

970.728.1513

RYAN BONNEAU©

SHOPPING

EYEWARE

Sunglasses HQ & Optical

219 East Colorado, Telluride

970.729.9119

PHOTOGRAPHY

Elevation Imaging

The Beach, Mountain Village

970.728.8058

Happy Print

307 East Colorado, Telluride

PET SUPPLIES

Animal Hospital of Telluride

678 South Park Road, Ilium

970.728.1082 / 708.4359 (after hours)

Dirt Dawg

215 East Colorado, Unit 1, Telluride

BOOKS

Between the Covers Bookshop

214 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.4504

970.728.6525

OFFICE SUPPLIES

Happy Print

307 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6525

Paper Chase

204 Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.728.0235

Ship It/Copy It

125 West Pacific #2B, Telluride

970.728.8111

Bootdoctors

Le Chamonix Bldg., Mountain Village

970.728.8954

236 South Oak, Telluride

970.728.4581

Box Canyon Bicycles

300 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.2946

Christy Sports / Cotopaxi

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.1334

Jagged Edge/Journey Outdoors

223 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.9307

Patagonia

200 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.4303

Telluride Angler/Telluride Outside

221 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3895

Telluride Sports

Camels Garden, Telluride

970.728.3134

Cimarron Lodge

970.728.4228

Fairmont Franz Klmmr., Mountain Village

970.728.0364

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

970.728.8944

The Peaks, Mountain Village

970.239.0339

Telluride Wax Guru (winter only)

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village

The Drop Board Shop & Print Lab

123 South Oak, Telluride

970.708.0688

Wagner Custom Skis

620 Mtn Village Blvd, Mountain Village

970.728.0107

THRIFT SHOPS

Second Chance Telluride Thrift Shop 335 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.1100

GROCERY & MARKETS

Clark’s Market 700 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3124

Over the Moon

223 South Pine, Telluride 970.728.2079

Telluride Truffle Artisan Chocolate

171 South Pine, Telluride

970.728.9565

The Market at Telluride

157 South Fir, Telluride 970.728.8958

The Village Market 455 Mtn. Village Blvd, M. Village 970.633.4700

PHARMACIES

Medicine Ranch (CBD)

615 West Pacific, Telluride 970.728.6084

Sunshine Pharmacy 333 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.3601

Franz Klammer Breezeway, M. Village 970.728.3601

FLORISTS

China Rose Florists & Greenhouse

158 Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.728.4169

Flowers by Ella

359 East Colorado Telluride

720-900-7488

970.239.6448

SPORTING GOODS BEAUTY

Mobile Unit One Veterinary Service

970.708.1512

PET Telluride

238 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.2095

Tricks & Treats Pet Sitting Service

970.708.5205

HARDWARE

Alpine Lumber

140 Society Dr., Lawson Hill

970.728.4388

Timberline Ace Hardware

200 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3640

LIQUOR STORES

Mountain Village Wine Merchant

622 M. Village Blvd. #100, M. Village

970.615.1077

Spirits at Mountain Village

455 Mtn. Village Blvd., M. Village

970.728.6500

Telluride Bottleworks

129 West San Juan, Telluride

970.728.5553

Telluride Brewing Company

156 Society Drive, Lawson Hill

970.728.5094

Telluride Distilling Company

Franz Klammer Breezeway, M. Village

970.728.2910

Telluride Liquors

123 East Colorado, Telluride

970.728.3380

Wine Mine at Pacific Street Liquors

220 South Davis, Telluride

970-728-WINE

DISPENSARIES

Alpine Wellness Center

300 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.1834

Green Dragon

119 West Colorado 970.422.1422

Telluride Bud Company

135 South Spruce, Telluride

970.239.6039

Telluride Green Room

250 South Fir, Telluride

970.728.7999

Absolutely Oxygen

100 West Colorado #231, Telluride

970.708.8998

Alchëmy Salon

300 Mahoney, #13C, Telluride

970.708.8048

Alt Vibes Relaxation Lounge

307 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.9515

Aveda Telluride Spa

250 West San Juan, Telluride 970.728.0630

Breathe Skin & Body Centrum Bldg., Mountain Village 970.497.0019

Gabrielle Chamberlain Makeup Artist 100 West Colorado #231, Telluride

970.657.3366

Hair 9 Salon

201 West Colorado, Telluride 970.708.7139

Healthy Glow Face & Body 100 West Colorado, Telluride

970.708.7424

Himmel Boutique Spa & Retail Fairmont Franz Klmr., Mountain Village 970.728.7113

Moxie Loft

226 West Colorado, Telluride

480.270.2864

Pearl Aesthetic Medicine

126 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.7939

Pure Beauty Wellness Spa / Salt Cave

333 West Colorado, Telluride

970.239.6144

Spa Boutique at the Peaks Resort 136 Country Club Dr., Mountain Village 970.728.6800

Studio G Total Skin Wellness

145 West Pacific #1E, Telluride

970.728.8700

The Spa & Salon at Madeline

568 Mtn. Village Blvd., Mountain Village 970.369.8961

Two Skirts 127 West Colorado, Telluride

970.728.6828

YX Salon 135 South Spruce, Telluride

Gallerists and Jewelers

Patents pending

Telluride-Pick Jewelry in Silver, Gold, Diamonds and Colored Gemstones

Telluride-Pick Jewelry in Silver, Gold, Diamonds and Colored Gemstones

Telluride Treasures™ in Gold, Diamonds & Notable Gems

Locally made charms and Mountain Rings, custom design jewelry and watch and jewelry repairs

Locally made charms and Mountain Rings, custom design jewelry and watch and jewelry repairs

Elinoff & Co. Gallerists & Jewelers

- SINCE 1991204 West Colorado Avenue 970.728.5566

Elinoff & Co., gallerists and jewelers, 204 W. Colorado Ave, 970.728.5566

Elinoff & Co., gallerists and jewelers, 204 W. Colorado Ave, 970.728.5566

ALL DESIGNS TRADEMARKED, COPYRIGHTED OR PENDING

The Village Market is a full-service grocery store offering fresh produce, quality fresh-made deli, in store seating area with fabulous views, full-service butcher and seafood counter, complete grocery selection including natural and organics, health and beauty/vitamins/supplements, and fresh floral dept.

We also offer a large selection of beer, wine and spirits at Spirits at Mountain Village, located within The Village Market.

(970) 633-4700 • Open 365 Days-A-Year 455 Mountain Village Blvd • Mountain Village, Colorado Go to thevillagemarkets.com for online ordering options.

Putting good food on your table since 1967.

SAVOR THE

DINING & SPIRITS

WHATEVER YOUR PALATE MAY BE, our tailored menus will serve you. Select from one of our fine establishments and delight in some of the best cuisine in the West. Dine in style at our signature restaurant, the Chop House –world renowned for its dry aged USDA Black Angus. We create our delicious fare using only organic free range fowl, non-threatened fish species and local ingredients. Pair a red or white from Telluride’s only nitrogen wine bar with a scrumptious meal for an unforgettable experience.

FAVORITES FROM BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER

CLASSIC EGGS BENEDICT / 18

Poached Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Hollandaise Sauce, Roasted New Potatoes

FRENCH TOAST / 16

Fresh Berries, Maple Syrup

FRENCH ONION SOUP / 17

Carmelized Onions, Gruyére Cheese

MAC & CHEESE / 18

Andouille, Gouda Mornay

TURKEY CLUB / 17

Applewood Smoked Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Rémonlade, Baguette

CHOP HOUSE WEDGE SALAD / 17

Butter Lettuce, Cherry Tomato, Shaved Egg, Nueske’s Bacon, Point Reyes Blue Cheese Dressing

ROCKY MOUNTAIN TROUT SALAD / 21

Pistachio Encrusted Trout, Spinach, Warm Bacon-Sherry Vinaigrette, Crostini, Poached Egg

CHOP HOUSE STEAK BURGER / 26

Cheddar, Gruyère or Blue Cheese

STEAMED MUSSELS / 28

Coconut-Ginger Broth, Thai Chili, Lemongrass , Grilled Bag uette

SEARED SCALLOPS / 52 Roasted Cauliflower, Parsnip Pureé, King Trumpet Mushrooms, Hazelnut Brown Butter Vinaigrette, Crispy Sage

PRIME NEW YORK STRIP 15oz / 69

DRY AGED BISON RIBEYE 20oz / 82

COLORADO RACK OF LAMB 12oz / 64

FILET MIGNON 10oz / 69

THE NEW SHERIDAN HOTEL has shared in the rich history of Telluride, Colorado since 1895. Offering modern amenities paired with historic ambiance, the New Sheridan invites you to experience a new level of old world service.

ADDRESS: 231 West Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado 81435

TELEPHONE 800.200.1891 or 970.728.4351 • NEWSHERIDAN.COM

DINING & SPIRITS

MOUNTAIN VILLAGE

Allred’s

Contemporary American Cuisine

Gondola Station St. Sophia 970.728.7474

Altezza

Locally Sourced Indo-European Cuisine

Peaks Resort & Spa, Mountain Village 970.728.2525

Black Iron Kitchen & Bar

Modern Mountain Cuisine

Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village 970.369.8949

Borracho’s at Poachers Pub

BBQ, Tacos, American Pub

Sunset Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.9647

Communion Wine Bar

Wine, Full Bar, Nibbles

Franz Klammer Breezeway, M. Village 970.538.9510

Crazy Elk Pizza

Handmade Pizza, Salads, Sandwiches

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.7499

El Rhino Taco & Coffee Bar

Coffee, Ice Cream, Snacks

456 Mtn. Village Blvd, Mountain Village

La Piazza del Villaggio

Authentic Italian Sunset Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.8283

Shake ‘n Dog

Hot Dogs, Salads, Shakes Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.1565

Siam’s Talay Grille

Contemporary Asian Tapas and Seafood

Sunset Plaza, Inn at Lost Creek 970.728.6293

Silverpick Coffee

Coffee, Smoothies, Pastries, Sandwiches

Peaks Resort & Spa, Mountain Village 970.728.2651

Starbucks Coffee, Tea, Pastries, Paninis

Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village 970.369.0880

Telluride Brewing Company Brew Pub

Local Beer, Burgers, Sandwiches, Snacks Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village 970.728.1120

Telluride Coffee Company

Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, Pastries Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village 970.369.4400

The Great Room American Bistro, Cocktails Peaks Resort & Spa, Mountain Village 970.728.6800

The Pick Gourmet Burritos and Bowls Reflection Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.2633

The View Bar & Grill

Locally Sourced Comfort Food Mountain Lodge, Mountain Village 970.369.6021

Timber Room

Elegant Mountain Modern, Cocktails Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village 970.369.8943

Tomboy Tavern Colorado Comfort Food Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.7467

Tracks Café & Bar Casual American, Cocktails Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village 970.728.0677

REGIONAL

LOCAL SPIRITS

Cindybread Artisan Bakery

Sandwiches, Bakery 168 Society Drive, Lawson Hill 970.369.1116

Counter Culture

Sandwiches, Burgers, Salads, Grains 156 Society Drive, Unit A, Lawson Hill 970.239.6211

Sawpit Mercantile

Authentic BBQ, General Store Highway 145, Sawpit 970.728.9898

Telluride Coffee Roasters

164 Society Drive, Lawson Hill 970.369.0060

Telluride Sleighs and Wagons

Colorado & Basque Influenced Menu

Aldasoro Family Ranch 970.260.2524

The Blue Jay at the Bivvi Hostel Highway 145, Placerville 970.708.2083

FOOD CARTS

Heritage Plaza, Mountain Village La Colombiana Latin Creations

Gondola Plaza, S. Oak Street, Telluride Coffee Cowboy

Philam Egg Rolls

Telluride Twisted Treats

Elks Park, Main Street, Telluride Gyro Cart

Tala’s Tacos

Cheezy Grilled Cheese

Mountain High Ice Cream

Corner of Fir Street & Pacific, Telluride

Poka Vida Pokes, Sushi and Salads

Spruce Street Park, Telluride

Crepeful Heads

Communion Wine Bar Wine, Full Bar, Nibbles Franz Klammer Breezeway, M. Village 970.538.9510

Last Dollar Saloon Cocktails, 10 Brews on Tap, Rooftop Bar 100 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.4800

New Sheridan Bar Cocktails, Pool Hall 231 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.4351

O’Bannon’s Irish Pub at the Moon Live Music, Cocktails 136 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.6139

Ride Lounge Live Music, Cocktails, Pool, Shuffleboard 135 East Colorado, Telluride 970.729.8912

Show Bar at the Sheridan Opera House Cocktails, Private Events 110 North Oak, Telluride 970.728.6363

Tellurado Studio Art Gallery, Bar 219 East Colorado, Telluride 970.239.6440

Telluride Brewing Company 156 Society Drive, Lawson Hill 970.728.5094

Madeline Hotel, Mountain Village 970.728.1120

Telluride Distilling Company Signature Cocktails, Billiards Franz Klammer Breezeway, M. Village 970.728.2910

The Liberty Cocktails, Live Music, DJ 121 South Fir, Telluride 970.728.2942

Wolf Pig Mobile Bar for Hire 970.596.3364

MELISSA PLANTZ ©

CATERING & CHEFS

DINING & SPIRITS

TOWN OF TELLURIDE

221 South Oak Modern Bistro 221 South Oak, Telluride 970.708.1437

Baked in Telluride Pizza, Pasta, Bakery 127 South Fir, Telluride 970.728.4775

Brown Dog Pizza

Pizza, Pasta, Subs, Sports Bar 110 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.8046

221 South Oak Catering

970.708.1437

Aemono Fine Foods & Catering

catering@aemonofinefoods.com

Backcountry Catering

609.760.5678

Bon Appétit Catering

970.209.5217

Counter Culture

970.239.6211

Mountaintop Catering

970.708.8656

Pescado Catering

970.708.0640

Telluride Private Catering

970.729.3620

The Amend Collective

970.698.5568

FARMERS MARKET

Bruno Coffee, Baked Goods 212 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.4504

Caravan Middle Eastern Fare, Smoothies 123 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.5611

Clark’s Market

Made-to-Order Food, Full Deli 700 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.3124

Coffee Cowboy Coffee, Baked Goods, Smoothies Oak Street, Gondola Plaza, Telluride 970.729.8912

Cornerhouse Grille American Grill, Sports Bar 131 North Fir, Telluride 970.728.6207

Cosmopolitan

Contemporary Seasonal Cuisine 301 Gus’s Way, Telluride 970.728.1292

Esperanza’s

Casual Mexican 226 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.8399

Floradora Saloon

Burgers, Salads, Sandwiches, Steaks 103 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.8884

Mountain Village Market on the Plaza

Heritage Plaza, Wednesdays, 11am - 4 pm

Telluride Farmers’ Market

South Oak, Fridays, 10:30 am - 4 pm

Spruce Park Markets, Telluride

Mountain Roots, Wednesdays, 11am - 2 pm

Z’s Orchard, Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm

High Pie Pizzeria & Tap Room Pizza, Salads, Calzones 100 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.2978

Kazahana

Traditional Japanese 126 East Colorado Ave, Telluride 970.729.8933

La Cocina de Luz

Fresh, Organic, Local Mexican 123 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.9355

La Marmotte

Contemporary French 150 West San Juan, Telluride 970.728.6232

Lunch Money Salads, Grain Bowls, Wraps 126 West Colorado, Telluride 970.239.6383

Mountain Gate Teahouse & Gallery 101 West Colorado Unit B, Telluride 970.729.8880

New Sheridan Chop House & Wine Bar

Upscale American, Steaks, Seafood 231 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.9100

Oak, The New Fat Alley BBQ, Casual American Oak Street, Gondola Plaza, Telluride 970.728.3985

Over the Moon

Gourmet Cheese & Food 223 South Pine, Telluride 970.728.2079

Pescado

Sushi, Japanese, Latin-Infused Dishes 115 West Colorado, Telluride 970.239.6025

Petite Maison

French Haute Cuisine 219 West Pacific, Telluride 970.728.7020

Rustico Ristorante

Traditional Italian 114 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.4046

Siam

Thai, Thai Fusion 200 South Davis, Telluride 970.728.6886

Side Work

Contemporary Comfort Food 225 South Pine, Telluride 970.728.5618

Smugglers Union Restaurant & Brewery Casual American, Brewpub 225 South Pine, Telluride 970.728.5620

Steamies Burger Bar

A Modern Burger Joint 300 West Colorado, Telluride 844.843.2867

Stronghouse Brewery Alpine Comfort Food, Brewpub 283 South Fir, Telluride 970.728.2890

Telluride Truffle Artisan Chocolate Chocolate, Ice Cream, Pastries 171 South Pine, Telluride 970.728.9565

The Alpinist & the Goat Fondue, Dessert, Cocktails 204 West Colorado, Telluride 970.728.5028

The Butcher & The Baker Café Fresh Gourmet Deli, Bakery, Take-Out 201 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.2899

The National Modern New American 100 East Colorado, Telluride 970.728.1063

The Village Market Full Service Grocery Store 455 Mtn. Village Blvd, Mountain Village 970.633.4700

The West End Bistro at Hotel Telluride Casual American, Cocktails Hotel Telluride, Telluride 970.369.1188

There...

Signature Cocktails, Appetizers 627 West Pacific, Telluride 970.728.1213

Uno, Dos, Tres Creative Tacos 123 South Oak, Telluride 970.728.7004

Wok of Joy Authentic Thai Cuisine 200 West Colorado, Telluride 970.708.0149

Wood Ear Texas Whiskey Bar with Japanese Fusion 135 East Colorado, Telluride 970.852.0469

PARTING SHOT RYAN BONNEAU

Bette Smith, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival 2021

“We have rented through Exceptional Stays multiple times, and are always impressed with their properties and services. ey are always willing to help with anything you might need throughout the stay which makes the experience easy and relaxing. I would highly recommend them for an enjoyable getaway!” - Google Review